Digital is growing and everything else is shrinking, fast. The force of digital and on-demand has taken over industries like household services, car, hotel, customer services and what not. However, it seems we are just getting started in this part of the world.
Bangladesh has just started to experience the power and convenience of digital. Ecommerce is growing fast and increasingly becoming an able contender of retail in many areas. Companies like Chaldal and Ajkerdeal have been experiencing rapid and steady growth over the past few years.
Digital, collaborative consumption is a nascent phenomenon in Bangladesh. There are not many examples to prove the ongoing digital revolution. The few we have are not mature enough to consider as examples but there are companies and organizations that are disrupting industries with the power of internet and technology.
HandyMama, an on-demand service platform is changing how household services are delivered. SmartKompare, a financial product comparison startup, is taking on how you decide on and get access to financial products. Doctorola is taking over healthcare industry by introducing better approach to delivering healthcare services. And there is Chalo to replicate Uber and more in Dhaka. There are many more examples but we will have to wait a little longer to see how all these startups turn out.
The truth is many of these companies will flunk. But many will flourish. Time will define that. But regardless of the fate of these companies, digital will take over many industries while making our life easier as well.
The new on-demand startup on the block
Poripaati, a startup beta testing its service in the Mirpur area of the city, plans to digitize how you find, employ and work with housemaid. The startup promises to supply on-demand maid, security checked, competent, and professional all within a price range of BDT 150 per hour and BDT 5000 for a month for a daily two hours worth of service.
The startup now provides workers for a few services including cooking, cleaning, washing utensils and cloths and few more. While it promises of providing trained professional, one can also ask for replacement of a worker if they are not satisfied. Poripaati also provides five days of free trail to give you a taste of their service before signing up.
We are digging deep in order to know more about Poripati which is a different story.
But the problem Poripaati is solving is a real one. There are households in Dhaka that suffer through finding a really good maid. When people often compromise with skills, security risk is real in this instance. Examples of horrible incidents are not rare. A verified and trained maid providing service should solve these issues.
As I said, Poripaati is still in beta and we are yet to catch up with any of the founders of the company but the idea rings the bell. Done right this has every potential to become a good business.
