KnoDues – a start-up with a solution to India's split-expenses problem. Issue 4 (12th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murthy, Venkatesh; Subramaniam, Ram
• Is Part Of: Emerald emerging markets case studies. Volume 9:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2019-12-12
• Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- Business development -- Business formation/start-ups -- Business model -- Social habits -- Exit -- Start-up -- Lean start-up model -- India
• DOI: 10.1108/EEMCS-05-2019-0138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-0621

Abstract

Abstract : Learning outcomes: Using the case, students will learn about the following topics: identification of the right shareholder for a start-up. Need for a tech co-founder for an app-based start-up. Delay in building the right team at the right time. Lack of preparedness; a start-up's challenges in identifying the business model. What was the real pain point (problem identification)? Did the solution meet market expectations (solution quality)?; consumers' usual social habits. How do people's habits hinder a product's survival in the market? Why do consumers continue to behave the same way they have? Technology-related constraints. Case overview/synopsis: KnoDues was a mobile application (app)-based start-up in the domain of split expenses. The business idea germinated in early 2015 and became a reality toward the end of 2015. In a developing country context, the case provides rich insights into lean vs traditional start-up formation, founders' knowledge, opportunity identification, product development and investment. India is a growing economy with ever-increasing smartphone users and internet consumers. Despite its deep-rooted rural-urban divide in the usage of modern technologies, India possesses a vast market opportunity in big cities. Rightly so, KnoDues intended to target the urban youth (between 15 and 35 years of age) population. Although KnoDues was not a unique product or the first of its kind, the founders perceived it to be the "first mover" in the Indian market. In its initial days, the product received an overwhelming response from accelerators and business-plan judges. Although KnoDues achieved more than 20, 000 downloads by the end of 2016, customer retention and attracting investors became a difficult task. Founders felt that the difficulty was because of people's "usual social habits, " and inadequate revenue model. Toward the end of 2017, KnoDues's founders contemplated on ceasing their business. Complexity academic level: Undergraduate, postgraduate and executive. Supplementary materials: Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [e-mail] to request teaching notes. Subject code: CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.