Transport on Demand (ToD), a unique app-based online logistics platform for intra-city transport, will unveil an aggressive marketing campaign in August having closed a successful fund-raising of $150,000 ($0.15 million) from investor Dhruv Taneja. He is a director at Empezar Logistics, specializing in container transportation and yard management and has over 9 years of experience in the field of logistics. '
ToD was founded in January 2015 by Ahmedabad-based Yash Vasant of Vasant Group. While 50% of the amount raised will be dedicated to marketing, the company will set aside 30% for beefing up its technology and 20 % for HR. It has already initiated a talent hunt with 10 new recruits on board for field execution of driver enrollments, foreseeing a bullish business growth.
ToD is based on a unique proposition of connecting potential customers directly with truckers. It’s bidding model play as the key differentiator. While every other competitor give a fixed rate, usually higher than the market rate, ToD works purely on the demand and supply model. This works in favor of the customer since he gets the best possible rate and also benefits the driver because he gets as many trips.
The aggregator app acts as a platform gathering registered single owner truck drivers for one to pick and choose from through innovative bidding.
“Our application allows reverse bidding by the drivers themselves who can double their income significantly. This indeed, is a boon for those who tend to lose out on a two-way trip and business. The indigenous innovation got our investor
interested to begin with. We want to make sure we are sound operationally and the number of drivers who can bid are technology savvy and customer oriented,” said Mr. Vasant.
ToD is already eyeing its Round 2 fund of about $2 million to come through. Its services are offered within a 200 kilometer radius of Ahmedabad currently but an expansion through the franchisee model is up on the cards in the next six months. This is expected to boost the customer base from 300 now.
Although ToD functions mostly in the B2B sector, the app can also be utilized by anyone wishing to shift household goods from one city to the other, thereby making it B2C too.
