Brands
Conekt to connect Indians with quality electronic accessories
MUMBAI: What started off as a personal need for two young entrepreneurs, has shaped into a full fledged technology company. Conekt, a gadget and smart phone technology accessories brand has forayed into the already cluttered space of accessories technology where consumers can choose from over 1000 products ranging from data cables to earphones and car mounts.
What’s interesting is the fact that Conekt announced its launch in the market with its brand ambassador and cricketer Rohit Sharma. It’s pretty unusual for a brand to have an endorser from day one and that’s what the co founders Pradeep Yerraguntla and Aashish Kumbhat got right! And why wouldn’t they! With a startup capital of $2 million, the founders invested strategically on getting a brand ambassador and R&D.
Currently, Conekt has products such as power banks, data cables, wall chargers, wireless chargers and earphones in its portfolio but is actively looking at expanding the range.
Yerraguntla however thought of launching a company with the need to have all products under one umbrella so the consumer doesn’t have to buy 10 different products from different companies. He says, “Apple users always keep complaining that their chargers don’t work long enough and break only after 8-12 months of use. That’s when we thought to ourselves, whether it’s really that difficult to come up with a quality charger or accessories. While most mobile manufacturers concentrate on building quality mobiles, they often forget to build quality accessories. We wanted to change that.”
While the products start from as low as Rs 399 for a pair of earphones, they go up as high as Rs 3499 for a power bank. The co-founders like to call themselves a mix of both world with products in mid-level and premium range.
But Conekt will have to face stiff competition from local players and products that are built wise merely moderate but available at a much cheaper price point. And who doesn’t like saving some extra bucks! The company however wants to change the Indian mentality about investing in quality products rather than just buying something which will only last a couple of months. With this, they will not be competing with small players but directly with the Samsung and Apple of the world.
Distribution is key. Conekt products will be available on Flipkart, Amazon and Paytm Mall from 20 August along with a strong distribution channel of 5000 retail outlets in the first phase of launch. The startup is looking at targeting metros and district headquarters for now and will gradually move in to tap the rural consumer in tier II and tier III towns.
While launching a product or a company is relatively easy, sustaining the momentum in the long run is where most startups get it wrong. What better way for this than to advertise your product on all available platforms, especially television, the leader of all marketing expenses!
Stating that the prime focus for the company will remain digital and BTL for all marketing initiatives, Ashish said that they will “have to” launch a television commercial during the festive season with Rohit Sharma to reach the audience at a mass level, even though they want to restrict their ad-spends on digital medium.
Since there is no warranty/guarantee available on technology accessories, it is also one of those categories where demand will always keep pouring in as products will continue to keep getting damaged and consumers will keep coming back for new, replaced products. At such point, this poses another threat for Conekt which wants to deliver quality products with two years of warranty on its products. Being optimistic, Kumbhat says, “Most people don’t invest in accessories because they know it won’t last long enough, We are not worried about one time sale as we are in for the long game.”
With only a day in the market, Conekt is already looking at international market and wants to expand globally. With everything in place and Indian sales channel all set up, the founders target the launch overseas by the end of financial year 2018-19.
In the end, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a brand be conscious of what they deliver to the consumers and wants to focus on quality products rather than just giving out sub standard products so they keep coming back. As they say, competition is always healthy and calls for a level playing field, but whether the Indian cost conscious consumers will ‘Conekt’ with the products or not, only time and the next financial year will tell.
Brands
Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
