Founders & their story

• Prathap B
• Sourabh Kumar

Traditional roads, such as those made of bitumen, concrete, and pavers, are susceptible to damage and require frequent repairs. In contrast, Gridmats, constructed from 100% recycled plastic waste, offer a sustainable and maintenance-free alternative for various applications, including roads, footpaths, and warehouse floorings. Featuring a honeycomb design, Gridmats not only reduce construction costs by 25% but also significantly decrease carbon emissions associated with road construction by up to 80%. For instance, during the construction of a 5 km road, Gridmats helped reduce carbon emissions by 1500 tons. Notably, Gridmats represent India’s pioneering rental road platform, having been utilized in over 30 cities to fill approximately 35,000 potholes using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Their primary clientele includes private real estate builders and developers.

About the company

Every year, hundreds of lives are lost due to the presence of potholes and inadequate road conditions across India. This longstanding issue persists yet remains largely unaddressed. PotHoleRaja stands as a social movement dedicated to raising awareness about road safety and safeguarding the lives of Indian citizens.

Their primary objective revolves around the elimination of potholes from roads, aiming to prevent countless accidents and fatalities annually. As a social venture committed to public welfare, they recognize the peril posed by potholes on roadways. Through the repair of these potholes, they endeavour to save precious lives, repurpose waste materials for a sustainable future, and reduce the substantial fuel wastage witnessed each year. PotHoleRaja fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors, engaging citizens, employees, and members of the transgender community in their mission to create pothole-free roads. This endeavour fosters a sense of collective responsibility towards nation-building.

Despite the detrimental impact of plastic and other waste materials on the environment, PotHoleRaja harnesses them as effective tools in combating the pothole problem. Leveraging advanced technology, they employ plastic and other eco-friendly methods to enhance the condition of Indian roads. Their efforts are dedicated to ensuring the provision of safer, well-maintained roads. Implementing affordable and environmentally conscious practices, PotHoleRaja collaborates with transgender and underprivileged individuals to address pothole issues.

PotHoleRaja is committed to improving both private and public roadways, striving to eliminate potholes and elevate road quality to international standards. Through collective cooperation, they aim to enhance the safety and quality of life for all Indian citizens.

Revenue

Projected sales for the fiscal year 2023-2024 are expected to range between 5 to 6 crores, showing an increase from the previous fiscal year’s sales of 4.5 crores. Notably, a significant portion of the projected sales for FY 23-24, approximately 2.5 crores, is anticipated to be derived from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In contrast, sales for the fiscal year 2022-2023 amounted to 4 crores.

Founders’ Ask 

5 crores for 2% equity at the valuation of Rs. 250 crores.

No Deal

Reasons for no deal

Aman: The valuation was too high and miscalculated.

Namita: The founders lack business acumen.

Anupam: The business needs to get the necessary certifications.

Peyush: He will not be able to provide guidance in this field.

Vineeta: It is difficult to gauge if the product is a breakthrough on this platform.