• Please give an introduction about yourself and your co-founders.

Both of us met during our Under-Graduation in Christ University, Bangalore and that is where Ontrack started.

•  Please give some insight on your start-up Ontrack.

We are a monthly subscription of two-wheelers. We are the fastest way (DL and a couple of clicks on the application) of having a two-wheeler without any long-term commitment. We aim to solve the problems of urban mobility.

• How did you start Ontrack?

Harshit was the brains behind starting the company. He started it as a solution to him not owning a bike. The Business in February 2016 and April 2016 is when I joined hands with Harshit full-time, and we scaled the business with b2b partnerships. Our vision was to ensure that college students/ working professional have access to affordable independent transport – which we have fairly achieved serving over 6000 happy customers.

• What motivated you to start the business?

The vehicle-rental industry back then was a luxury product. We viewed it differently. Our approach was to view this as a utility product – easily accessible and at the same time – not put a hole in the pockets of the customers. We focused on one thing but ensured that we did it best. We are the only monthly rental company in the industry.

• Give us an insight on your prior background

Harshit & I started while studying and had only done internships at few companies. Both Harshit & I come from business family backgrounds and that enabled us to run Ontrack with great confidence.

•  What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about business and creation; the whole process of ideation, implementation, teambuilding is beautiful and there is little than can beat that feeling. One can often see us doodling away sheets of business ideas and arguing out loud. On a lighter note, I am very passionate about food and am very fondly called food panda by friends.

• Please give us an insight about your Childhood & college.

Coming from a small town named Channarayapatna in Hassan district – my childhood was very beautiful and minimal. Spent hours playing cricket, focused on studies, always schooled and taught to stand by the right and against the wrong. College was extremely competitive in Christ Junior college – then UG in Christ University – which I thank for the business success as it prepared us to face the corporate world – being professional – kept us disciplined.

• Do you have any other businesses?
  We are wholeheartedly into Ontrack and exploring new avenues to grow this big and solve even larger issues in the country.

• Tell us about your Funding/ Investment journey.

We received our angel funding in Dec 2017 – after which we pivoted to b2c. Since investment, we have grown 400% in terms of fleet and revenue. We are a team of 22 like-minded individuals.

•  Tell us about your problems/ hurdles.

Being the first-gen entrepreneurs, the biggest hurdle was to attract capital – make people believe in us and the idea. Getting the market-product mix right.

•  The point of view of your family & friends on the business.

Initially, we were questioned if the field we opted was going to be the right decision. Eventually, after the POC – today our families are very proud and happy about it. Amongst friends, we are recognized for the efforts we have put in. We are invited by the alma mater for guest lectures/ guests at events.

•  Tell us about the people who impacted the journey.

(no particular name as such) – but the stories of Delhivery and Oyo scaling is fascinating and that motivates us a lot and has had a positive impact in our journey.

•  Who was your first Customer at Ontrack?

The feeling of renting the first vehicle to a customer was fantastic. It felt like we empowered someone, and that memory is still alive. We interacted with a lot of customers ourselves – from handling customer calls to delivering the vehicle – we did it all. Even today – we do the same and it gives us a chance to understand the need of the customers.

•  How does Ontrack work?

We are a monthly subscription with no commitment. Anyone with a valid driver’s license can create a profile on the website (www.on-track.in) – pick a vehicle – make the payment online and within an hour collect the vehicle from our location in Koramangala or get it delivered at their door-step within 48 hours. Extensions are simple – one wishes to continue with the vehicle – has to make the payment for another month before the end date. Or drop the vehicle – no commitment.

•  What are your key milestones for the next 6-12 months?

Increase the fleet size to 2500+ vehicles in the city and expand to of other cities like Pune and Delhi.

•  What is your plan of action for the 5 years?

We envision ourselves to be leading market player in terms of everything to do with a two-wheeler. Consumer leasing is another interesting project we are working towards.
Rent – Lease – Resale – Refurbishment – we aim to be our consumer’s first preference.

•  Who according to you are your competition?

Our Direct Competition are Drivezy, ONN Bikes, Royal Brothers and Indirect Competition are Bounce and Vogo. We are only focused on monthly rentals and that is what differentiates us from others in the industry. Ours is an all-inclusive service (basic rent, maintenance, insurance, GPS tracking, RSA) and the same is very much liked by our loved customers.

•  What is your success mantra?

As the popular saying goes – What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger – we have failed more than once and have come back much stronger each time. Be it losing b2b contracts, breach of contract by our b2b customer – struggling with the local authorities – we have learnt to be patient, not to lose hope in anything.

•  One piece of advice from you!

Listen to consumer needs, create a strong network, try something different (risks) and be open to failures – and at last, don’t forget to make time for yourself!

•  Tell us about the things that you learnt during the entrepreneurial journey.

1. Embrace failure with open arms and be ready to change and evolve. 

2. Create new opportunities – not waiting for the right time to come. 

3. Invest in right talent – because the right team puts us on the world map – perception Management.

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