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Gostops ‘ April Fools’ prank pay to stay, get paid to leave!
MUMBAI: Gostops, pulled off an ingenious April Fools’ prank that had netizens in stitches. Their ‘Reverse Hostel’ campaign promised an irresistible deal pay Rs 500 to check in, get Rs 700 when you leave essentially making travel not just affordable but profitable! The longer you stay, the more you earn. Who wouldn’t want an all-expenses-paid adventure?
Ofcourse, it was all in good fun. The campaign, a classic April Fools’ joke, struck a chord with India’s Gen Z travellers, who love quirky, offbeat experiences. Social media erupted with reactions, with many wishing it were real.
But beyond the humour, the ‘Reverse Hostel’ concept carried a deeper message. It reinforced Gostops’ belief that travel is about more than just a bed for the night it’s about new experiences, self-discovery, and building connections.
“We wanted to do something bold and fun, while still reinforcing the idea that travel opens new doors and opportunities,” said Gostops social media & content lead Simran. “The ‘Reverse Hostel’ campaign was a way to bring laughter and joy to our audience, while also encouraging young people to keep traveling and embracing the transformative power of travel. Even if it was just for the laughs, we hope this campaign reminded them of the endless possibilities out there!”
While travellers won’t actually get paid to check out, Gostops remains committed to making travel accessible, fun, and unforgettable because some experiences are truly priceless!
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Ujjwal Jain steps down from PhonePe’s Share.Market to start new chapter
Founder behind WealthDesk and OpenQ exits after decade-long fintech journey
BENGALURU: Ujjwal Jain, the entrepreneur behind platforms such as WealthDesk and OpenQ, has stepped down from his role as chief executive of Share.Market, the investing platform backed by PhonePe, marking the end of a decade-long journey in India’s capital markets space.
In a reflective note, Jain described his journey from launching WealthDesk in 2016 to building a broader ecosystem that eventually became part of PhonePe. Over the years, his ventures focused on bringing data-driven investing tools and model portfolios closer to retail investors, a space that has seen rapid evolution alongside the rise of discount broking.
WealthDesk introduced curated “WealthBaskets” to simplify portfolio investing, while OpenQ expanded access to quantitative research and analytics. Both platforms were later acquired by PhonePe, forming the backbone of Share.Market, which Jain helped scale as a mass-market investing product.
Calling the experience “brutal” yet deeply fulfilling, Jain credited colleagues, investors and industry partners for shaping the journey, highlighting the role of the PhonePe team in building Share.Market into a large-scale platform.
His exit comes at a time when artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape financial services globally. Jain indicated that his next move will focus on this shift, hinting at a renewed push into the intersection of AI and capital markets.
Prior to his entrepreneurial stint, Jain worked with MSCI Inc. on index products and technology, and with D. E. Shaw India Financial Services in algorithmic trading and high-frequency systems.
While he has not disclosed specifics of his next venture, Jain framed the move not as a departure but a reset, signalling that his next chapter will aim to tackle even larger challenges in India’s evolving investment landscape.
With one chapter closed and another underway, the focus now shifts to what Jain builds next in an increasingly AI-first financial world.
