Inc42 Daily Brief
Stay Ahead With Daily News & Analysis on India’s Tech & Startup Economy
Chennai-based on-demand laundry brand Wassup expanded its operations to Hyderabad by acquiring another on-demand startup Ezeewash in a full equity deal.
With this acquisition, Wassup will offer its services to the denizens of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Ezeewash has been in operation for 3 years in Hyderabad and has serviced over 8000 customers and currently does over 100 orders per day. As for Wassup, it was founded in 2011 by Balachandar R and Durga Das. It is an on-demand service provider which currently offers services like laundry, dry cleaning, shoes and bag refurbishments. The startup also offers free home pick and delivery service. The company is operational in Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Pune, and has 30 pickup points called “Aggregating Hubs”, where the garments can be dropped off by customers or delivery boys.
Ravi Kumar Pinjala, founder and CEO of Ezewash, will takeover as the Vice President for Wassup’s AP & Telangana operations.
Wassup will introduce 50 more “Aggregating Hubs” in the next 4-5 months through the franchisee model to encourage women entrepreneurs and first time entrepreneurs. The brand vision is to reach 100 cities in the next 3 years. Wassup has processed more than 40 Mn garments so far and this number is growing month on month.
Wassup has expressed its intention to be part of the industrial and service growth that is happening in the key cities of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana. The brand will start with 3 retail stores/collection points in Hyderabad to begin with and expand to 25 retail stores across Hyderabad in 3 months time. On-demand service will be offered across the city through their iOS and Android app. The initial stores are being launched in Whitefield and Madhapur areas.
Ezeewash is the second company that Wassup has acquired and is also negotiating three more acquisitions. Earlier, Wassup had acquired Chamak.
Wassup has also launched a slew of measures for the upliftment of the industry. It runs a vocational academy for training in laundry skills and has also launched Wassup Dhobi Partnership Program – a special programme aimed at the upliftment of dhobis who form an integral part of this industry. Besides, the startup also aims to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for 300 people (largely women). The retail expansion of Wassup will be through the franchisee model, which would encourage women entrepreneurs and first time entrepreneurs.
Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.