Meesho success story | E-commerce for Small Businesses

Meesho is a fast-growing Indian e-commerce platform that focuses on small business, resellers, and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2015, the platform connects suppliers and resellers, allowing them to sell products through social media channels such as Whatsapp, faceBook, Instagram, etc. Meesho`s model offers a simple and effective way of selling, changing the traditional way of online selling.

Meesho Highlights

Attribute	Details
Startup Name	Fashnear Technologies Private Limited
Headquarters	Bengaluru,India
Sector	Sector – 49
Founders	Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal
Founded	December 2015
Valuation	$3.9 billion(11 May 2024)
Website	https://www.meeso.io

About Meesho

Meesho is a revolutionary social commerce platform that focuses on helping small businesses and individuals the opportunity to start their own online business without any major investment. The app allows users to start their own e-commerce business by simply sharing product listings on their social media accounts. Meesho acts as a middleman, sourcing products from suppliers and enabling resellers to market and sell them directly to customers. Meesho simplifies the online business process by providing services like cash on delivery, logistics, and customer support.

Meesho Business and Revenue Model-

Meesho business model is commission-based. The company does not hold inventory or directly sell products; instead, it connects suppliers with resellers. The company charges a commission on every sale made through its platform. The revenue is primarily generated from:

• Commission from sellers: Meesho takes a cut from each transaction that takes place on the platform.
• Logistics services: The company also earns revenue through its logistics and shipping services, which help resellers deliver products to their customers efficiently.
• Value-added services: Meesho offers additional services such as advertising, promotions, and customer support, which further generate revenue.

Meesho Founders and Team

Meesho was founded by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal in 2015. Both founders specialise in engineering and are alumni of IT Delhi.

·        Vidit Aatrey: Before starting Meesho, Vidit worked as a software engineer at in Mobi. He recognized the untapped potential in social commerce and the challenges small businesses face, which led him to start Meesho.

• Sanjeev Barnwal: Sanjeev, also an IIT Delhi graduate, was instrumental in shaping the technical and product aspects of the platform.

The Meesho team is composed of experts from e-commerce, technology, logistics, and customer service, creating a robust support system for both resellers and suppliers.

Meesho Key Features

1. Social Selling: Meesho allows resellers to sell products directly through social media channels, without the need for an online store.
2. No Investment Needed: Resellers don’t need to invest in stock or infrastructure, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to start a business.
3. Product Variety: Meesho offers a wide range of products across categories like fashion, beauty, home goods, electronics, and more.
4. Cash on Delivery: Meesho supports COD as a payment method, which builds trust with customers in India, where online payments are not always preferred.
5. Easy Logistics: Meesho handles logistics, including shipping and returns, taking the burden off the resellers.
6. Customer Support: Meesho provides 24/7 customer support for both resellers and end customers.

Meesho Competitors

Meesho operates in the competitive landscape of Indian e-commerce, and some of its key competitors include:

• Shopify: Provides a platform for entrepreneurs to build their own e-commerce stores.
• Glow Road: Another social commerce platform that allows resellers to earn money by selling products.
• Deal Share: Targets the lower-income population in India by providing discounted products.
• Ajio & Myntra: Though they are more traditional e-commerce players, they also cater to the fashion segment and have expanded their reselling features.
• Amazon & Flipkart: While not directly competing in social commerce, they still represent large players in the Indian e-commerce industry.

Meesho Awards and Achievements

• Unicorn Status: Meesho became a unicorn in 2021 after securing a valuation of $2.1 billion.
• Best Social Commerce Platform: Meesho has been recognized multiple times for its unique business model that focuses on empowering small businesses.
• Fundraising Success: Meesho has raised funds from prominent investors like Sequoia Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, and Prosus Ventures.

Meesho Future Plans

Meesho’s future plans include:

• Expansion into new markets: Meesho is looking to expand its presence internationally, especially in emerging markets.
• Enhancing product offerings: The company aims to continue broadening the range of products available on its platform.
• Technology Investments: Meesho plans to enhance its platform with AI and machine learning to improve customer experience, supply chain management, and reselling efficiency.
• Increasing reseller base: Meesho aims to onboard more resellers, especially from rural areas, and empower them with tools for better business growth.

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Conclusion

Meesho`s success story is proof of how social commerce can challenge traditional e-commerce. Giving people a chance to start their own online business without any investment is an example of innovation done by Meesho. With its innovative business model, strong customer support, and clear plans for future, Meesho is set to move toward more success in the coming years.

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