Mumbai-based home utility service provider, Taskbob has reportedly shut down operations. The development was confirmed by a mail sent to Taskbob users by co-founder and CEO Aseem Khare.
The mail states, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Taskbob will be shutting down its operations as of 19th January. All the orders already placed in the system will be duly processed.”
Taskbob is run by Crenovative Ideas Pvt. Ltd, and was started in 2014 by IIT graduates Aseem Khare, Abhiroop Medhekar, Ajay Bhatt, and Amit Chahalia. The mobile-only startup offered instant home services by sending verified and skilled professional servicemen at the customer’s doorstep to fix household appliances – such as AC, washing machine, computer, and refrigerator.
The mail further stated, “But sometimes, things are not meant to be. Even though, we could create a significant difference in customers, service providers, and teams lives, a solid business is created only by building scalability & profitability. And to achieve those in a low margin business and in a tough external market proved unexpectedly daunting. More than what anyone could have expected.”
Assem also stated that even though Taskbob is shutting down operations, in order to help its users the team has shared the list of all Taskbob verified service professionals – across categories such as electricians,plumbers, carpenters, appliance repairmen, house cleaners, car cleaners, drivers, etc., on the Taskbob App. (You can access the contacts on the Taskbob APP here).
In February 2016, Taskbob secured $4.5 Mn (INR 28 Cr.) in its Series A round of funding led by IvyCap Ventures. It also saw participation from existing investors Orios, and Mayfield.
In May 2016, Taskbob was selected to be a part of the second batch of Indian startups that joined Launchpad Accelerator programme at Google Headquarters in Silicon Valley, California. Competing startups in the hyperlocal on-demand services space are Housejoy, Localoye, Zimmber, Findyahan, Qyk, etc.
