Blinkit, which is owned by Zomato, has been investigating alternative revenue streams for quite some time. Moreover, the corporation will soon introduce handyman services on its platform, according to two persons familiar with the internal discussions.
In the coming weeks, Blinkit will offer handyman services such as plumbing, electrician, beautician, and air conditioner repair on its platform, according to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
The move will place Blinkit in direct rivalry with Urban Company, which is financed by Tiger Global. Deepinder Goyal, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zomato, was appointed to the board of Urban Company as an independent director in March 2022. However, Goyal resigned from the board on February 15, according to information obtained from the RoC.
Sources indicate that Goyal’s resignation from Urban Company’s board of directors is directly related to Blinkit’s intention to enter Urban Company’s home services market.
“Goyal quit because the new vertical will compete with UC, creating a direct conflict of interest,” claimed the individual cited above.
To establish this new vertical, Blinkit has assembled a new team comprised of existing group employees as well as personnel from other companies, according to insiders. “It will attempt to provide these services within 10 to 15 minutes, similar to its main grocery play,” claimed a second unnamed source.
Urban Company, Goyal, and Blinkit did not immediately respond to inquiries. If they respond, the story will be updated.
Zomato’s addition of grocery and now home services to its products demonstrates its ambition to imitate China’s Meituan, an investor in Swiggy’s competition. Meituan, which began as a food delivery service, expanded over the years to include entertainment, dining, grocery, and travel – a goal shared by Swiggy.
