Droom Success Story | From Startup to Industry Leader

Droom, founded in 2014 by Sandeep Aggarwal, has rapidly emerged as one of India’s leading online marketplaces for buying and selling both new and used vehicles. From its humble beginnings, Droom has revolutionized the way people engage in vehicle transactions by integrating technology with the automotive industry. The platform offers a wide range of vehicles, including cars, bikes, and even electric vehicles, along with value-added services like vehicle inspections, financing options, insurance, warranties, and price discovery powered by AI.

Droom Highlights

Attribute	Details
Startup Name	Droom Technology Private Limited
Headquarters	Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India
Sector	Sector-15
Founders	Rishab Malik
Founded	April 2014
Valuation	$1.2 billion, January 2025
Website	http://droom.in

About Droom

Droom is a tech-driven online marketplace that allows individuals and businesses to buy and sell both new and pre-owned vehicles. Founded with the aim of simplifying vehicle transactions, Droom leverages cutting-edge technologies to ensure transparency, convenience, and a seamless experience for its users. Apart from buying and selling vehicles, Droom also offers services like vehicle inspection, financing, insurance, warranties, and price discovery to ensure a complete end-to-end solution for vehicle transactions.

With its robust platform, Droom is not just about buying and selling; it also empowers customers by providing additional services such as vehicle certifications and post-purchase warranties, which have built significant trust in the market.

Company Insights

• Founded in 2014: Droom was established in 2014 by Sandeep Aggarwal with the aim of transforming the way people buy and sell vehicles in India.
• Largest Online Auto Marketplace: Droom is one of India’s largest online platforms for buying, selling, and financing new and used vehicles, including cars, bikes, and electric vehicles.
• Unicorn Status: Droom achieved unicorn status (valued at over $1 billion) in 2021, solidifying its position as a leader in the automotive e-commerce sector.
• Over 50,000 Sellers: The platform connects over 50,000 sellers across India, offering a vast selection of vehicles and related services.
• Technology-Driven: Droom uses advanced technologies such as AI, data science, and machine learning for price discovery, vehicle inspections, and other services.
• Pan-India Reach: Droom operates across major cities in India, making it accessible to a wide consumer base from different regions.

Droom Business and Revenue Model

Droom follows a marketplace business model where it connects buyers and sellers. The platform operates on several revenue streams:

1. Listing Fees: Sellers pay a fee to list their vehicles on the platform.
2. Transaction Fees: Droom earns a commission for every successful sale completed on the platform.
3. Value-Added Services: Revenue is also generated through services like vehicle inspection, certification, insurance, and extended warranties.
4. Droom Credits: Droom offers a digital currency (Droom Credits) that can be used for discounts or special offers on the platform.
5. Financing: Droom partners with financial institutions to offer vehicle loans and earns processing fees from them.

Droom Founder and Team

• Sandeep Aggarwal (Founder & CEO): Before founding Droom, Sandeep Aggarwal had a successful entrepreneurial career, including founding ShopClues, one of India’s top e-commerce platforms. He has vast experience in e-commerce, technology, and data analytics. His vision for Droom was to transform the traditional vehicle-buying experience with technology, making it transparent and accessible.
• Leadership Team: Droom’s leadership team consists of professionals with expertise in e-commerce, automotive industry, and technology, bringing diverse perspectives and skills to the company.

Droom Key Features

1. AI-Powered Price Discovery: Droom’s AI engine helps in determining the fair market price of a vehicle, offering transparency in pricing.
2. Vehicle Inspection & Certification: Droom provides a 200+ point inspection and certification process to ensure the quality and reliability of used vehicles.
3. Droom Warranty: Vehicles purchased from Droom come with warranties, providing assurance to buyers about their investment.
4. Easy Financing Options: Droom offers financing solutions for buyers, in partnership with banks and financial institutions.
5. Droom Credits: Users can earn and redeem Droom Credits for discounts and special offers, making the buying process more affordable.
6. Mobile App: Droom offers a user-friendly mobile app for both iOS and Android, making it easy for users to browse vehicles and complete transactions on-the-go.
7. Wide Range of Vehicles: Droom lists a wide variety of vehicles, including cars, bikes, scooters, and electric vehicles, catering to different customer needs.

Droom Competitors

Droom faces competition from several players in the online vehicle marketplace in India, including:

• OLX Autos: A major competitor, OLX offers a platform for buying and selling used cars and bikes.
• Car Dekho: One of the leading platforms for used and new car sales, Car Dekho also offers vehicle-related services like insurance and financing.
• Cars24: Known for buying used cars directly from sellers and offering instant pricing, Cars24 competes with Droom in the pre-owned vehicle space.
• True Bil: True il is another platform that specializes in the sale of used cars with features like financing and inspection services.
• Flipkart and Amazon: While primarily focused on general e-commerce, both Flipkart and Amazon have started expanding their offerings in the automotive sector.

 Droom Awards and Achievements

• Unicorn Status: Droom achieved a valuation of over $1 billion in 2021, entering the coveted unicorn club.
• Best Automotive Platform: Droom has received numerous accolades and awards for being one of the most innovative and reliable automotive platforms in India.
• Innovation in Technology: Droom’s use of artificial intelligence and data science to facilitate price discovery and inspections has been recognized as groundbreaking in the automotive sector.
• Investor Confidence: The company has raised substantial funds from top investors like Lightbox Ventures, Beenos, and others, helping it expand its services and reach.

The Future Plans

Droom has an ambitious roadmap for the future, with key plans including:

1. Expansion of Vehicle Offerings: Droom plans to expand its portfolio to include more vehicle types such as trucks, electric vehicles, and even commercial vehicles.
2. International Expansion: The company aims to enter other emerging markets, starting with Southeast Asia and other high-growth regions.
3. Technology Enhancements: Droom is focused on integrating more advanced technologies like blockchain for secure transactions and further enhancing its AI-powered features.
4. Sustainability Focus: The company plans to accelerate its efforts in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and plans to include more EV options on its platform.
5. Strengthening Financing Solutions: Droom intends to deepen its partnerships with financial institutions to offer more competitive loan options to buyers.

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Conclusion

Droom’s success story is a testament to how innovation and technology can disrupt traditional industries. By focusing on making vehicle buying and selling more transparent, secure, and efficient, Droom has revolutionized the Indian automotive market. With its wide range of services, including vehicle inspection, certification, financing, and warranty, Droom has built a platform that offers more than just buying and selling – it offers peace of mind to customers. The company is well-positioned for future growth and expansion, with a strong leadership team and a clear vision for the future.

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