India (Commonwealth)_In a world increasingly defined by technological innovation, Anuj Gupta’s brainchild, GreenVan, is making waves as a pioneer in the global service industry. This innovative startup, reminiscent of an ‘Amazon of Services,’ introduces a novel approach to booking essential tasks through its ingenious conversational artificial intelligence (AI) software, all within the familiar realm of WhatsApp.
Gupta’s journey with GreenVan began with a personal struggle, navigating the process of finding reliable trade professionals after relocating from the US to the UK five years ago. The experience left him yearning for a more efficient, less convoluted system. Gupta, in his mid-40s, recounted, “We were often left in the lurch when chasing tradespeople and were hit with a system that was too idiosyncratic.”
Delving deeper into the industry, Gupta discovered that a staggering 87 percent of it was dominated by mom-and-pop shops, characterized by small, often one-owner businesses with just a handful of staff. This fragmentation surpassed even the pre-Uber days of the mini cab industry.
Recognizing the immense potential within this largely untapped market, Gupta estimated its value at a staggering USD 120 billion in the UK alone, with profits hovering around USD 20 billion. “We could see that the time was ripe to inject the technology and make it efficient, at a time when conversational AI was becoming available from the adjacent to the mainstream,” he explained.
Armed with a degree from St. Stephen’s, Delhi University, and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School, Gupta credits his practical life experiences for shaping his entrepreneurial journey. GreenVan emerged in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, entering a serendipitous trial phase amid a world increasingly reliant on online technologies.
Over the past few years, Gupta and his team have tirelessly honed GreenVan’s conversational technology, aiming to simplify the interface for users. Through WhatsApp, customers can seamlessly book routine tasks, such as home repairs or relocations, with a few taps. With hundreds of specialists on their roster, GreenVan boasts competitive rates and guarantees a steady income for its tradespeople.
The market trial spanned 15 UK cities, including major hubs like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Over 100 contractors facilitated thousands of transactions, fine-tuning the booking process for optimal user experience.
Gupta’s vision extends beyond the UK. He envisions a future in the US market and, in time, even India. “I’m from India and therefore I would love to look at India. But I think the ecosystem is not ready there,” he candidly shared, highlighting the need for certain infrastructure elements to reach critical mass.
In the face of global challenges, Gupta remains optimistic. “We read all around us that climate is crashing, and democracy is dying and problems are permeating. But I believe that there is a better tomorrow. My belief is that we can use human intelligence for the betterment of the common man,” he asserted.
GreenVan’s green agenda doesn’t stop at revolutionizing service booking. The company extends a hand to eco-friendly businesses, offering them free advertising on its fleet of electric vans used by contractors.
With GreenVan, Anuj Gupta strikes a chord between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence, ushering in a new era of service booking. As the world embraces technological solutions, Gupta’s brainchild stands poised to transform the way we address essential tasks, one conversation at a time.
