Behind the Wheels of 'Zymo': Story of a Self-drive Car Rental Founder
Manish Pratik is a Professional turned Entrepreneur who understand your "Need for Speed". Currently, he is building Zymo, one of the India's largest aggregator for self-drive car rentals.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
The inspiration to become an entrepreneur and launch my own business stemmed from deeply personal experiences and challenges I encountered as an avid user of self-drive car rentals.
Imagine the frustration of spending hours comparing options before selecting the best self-drive car rental, only to be met with inconvenience and uncertainty at every turn. The trust issues with local vendors were particularly disheartening, especially when it came to security deposits. I experienced the anguish of losing hard-earned money due to questionable charges, leaving me feeling betrayed and helpless.
But out of these struggles emerged a burning desire to make a difference. Zymo wasn't just a business idea; it was born from the passion to solve real problems faced by users like myself in the self-drive car rental space. It was about creating a platform where trust, transparency, and convenience reign supreme—where users can confidently explore the world on their terms, without the fear of being taken advantage of.
What was your biggest challenge as a startup founder, and how did you overcome it?
Finding a tech co-founder was by far the toughest challenge I faced on my entrepreneurial journey. I knew that to bring my vision to life, I needed someone who not only had the technical skills but also shared the same passion and was willing to play the long game alongside me.
The search was daunting, to say the least. I went through countless interviews, hired and parted ways with nearly 10 people, feeling the weight of each disappointment. It was a rollercoaster of hope and despair, with each rejection feeling like a setback.
But then, amidst the uncertainty and exhaustion, I met Gautam. From our very first conversation, I knew there was something special about him. He wasn't just brilliant with technology; he understood the heart and soul of our business.
What truly set Gautam apart was his willingness to believe in our vision and commit to the journey ahead, even if it meant forgoing a traditional salary in exchange for equity.
Can you share any exciting news or upcoming projects you are currently working on?
We're currently working on an exciting project aimed at revolutionizing the car-buying experience by offering experiential ownership of new vehicles to prospective customers. Our plan is to collaborate with OEM to provide access to new car launches, allowing customers to experience ownership for a day or more.
Our mission is clear: to redefine the traditional test drive model and replace it with a more immersive and engaging test ownership experience. By offering prospective buyers the opportunity to truly live with a new car before making a purchase decision, we aim to empower them with firsthand insights and confidence in their choice.
If your startup was a fictional character, what would it be and why?
If Zymo were a fictional character, it will be like Spider-Man – your friendly neighbourhood superhero, always ready to lend a helping hand when you need it most.
How has Razorpay Rize helped you in your journey of being a founder?
We are thankful to be part of the Razorpay Rize because of the access it provides to resources, technology & people and without charging anything in return!.Truly! You guys are the best platform for early stage startups like ours.
Some Ending Thoughts
- Manish Pratik
“Rental industry has the potential to reshape the product design, keeping the vehicle rental in mind. When the car rentals become popular, people wont have to fit the same vehicle for every need. They can rent a Sedan for a family trip, a Mini-van for a car pool day and a luxury car for romantic dates. The Rental industry can change how cars are perceived in the mind of users.”
Find out more about Manish & Zymo.
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