Realty player Primarc to invest Rs 3 crore in driver solutions app DriversKart

KOLKATA: Retail and realty player Primarc group's special purpose vehicle (SPV) Primarc iventure in consortium with ah! Ventures & Silicon Valley investor Namit Agarwal has just infused Rs 3 crore in Chennai-based online driver solutions application DriversKart.

The start up proposes to use the fund to upgrade its technology , improve driver's training as well as expand team. The funds will also be used for marketing and business development. The transaction was led by Kolkata-headquartered Primarc Iventure, the SPV floated by Sidharth Pansari along with investors Apurva Salarpuria, Ayush Patni, Saket Agarwal to nurture start-ups.

DriversKart, an organized on-demand personal chauffeur service founded by former Jabong executive Lakshmi Potluri, an IIM Calcutta alumni Vinit Srivastava and Saksham Grover, who worked with Cognizant Technology Services earlier, aims to become pioneer in online driver solution and organizing the unorganized driver in today's market.

They offer on-demand service with real time pricing and at an attractive cost. It offers technically trained drivers along with their profile and customer feedback. With 20 odd employees on its payroll, it currently operates in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Delhi. It also services established businesses like hotels, car hire agencies, travel agents, hospitals among others.

With pre-series A fund, DriversKart aims to reach over 10000 rides a day within 12 months.

When contacted, investor Sidharth Pansari said: “The start up offers real-time personal drivers for short and long durations. It has the potential to be a huge disruptor in the car hire, taxi segment and will also offer employment opportunities. The service will be of immense benefit to those consumers who need drivers occassionally and at odd times or on an urgent basis,“ Apurva Salarpuria added.

Commenting on the deal, DriversKart founder & CEO Vinit Srivastava said, “Being chauffeur driven is soon going to be a necessity for those who value their time and peace of mind. DriversKart aims to address this need through their disruptive offering India's first driver subscription service through their verified and trained drivers.“