Get daily 100 photo copies for free through an app-based startup FreeCopy in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Amdavadis famous for their ‘value for money’ attitude will now be able to get 100 photo copies of any document per day for free; courtesy- FreeCopy, an app-based startup firm of three former schoolmates from Rajkot, two of which are just 19 years old.

The startup founded jointly by class 12 passed outs Raahish Kalaria (19), Tanmai Vachhani (19) (both former classmates) and Kunal Sheth (21, who was one grade senior to the remaining two in the same school) was also planning to get the photocopies delivered at doorsteps at a very nominal charge of Rs 9 per delivery from next month.

Its first free of cost photo copy point (launched today) FreeCopy Zero Store is situated near Swastik Char Rasta (Off CG Road) where anyone having app can get up to 100 photo copies of any document per day for free.

‘The store is not like any other traditional photo copy spot but bears a neat and clean cafe like look. It is the first one in the country and in the city. We have planned to increase its number in Ahmedabad and the number of cities for its launch in the future. We have also tied up with 70+ photo copy stores in Ahmedabad for paid service through the same app which gives the user the liberty to chose one based on cheaper rate and less distance from his location,’ Kalaria told newsmen today.

‘In the FreeCopy store we would provide only black and white copies. We would also print a colour advertisement on every fifth photo copy but in such a manner that it won’t disturb the matter at all. The startup is based on our experience of class 10 school business project ‘Mafatcopy’ that we did in Rajkot four years ago and was a hit at that time too. Our business model is to get enough earning from advertisement to provide free service. Through a software we would be able to know the test and liking of our user and print such ads on their documents which are from the area of their interests . This way we will be able to make the advertisers reach out to exact audience in printed manner. They would also be able to know that how many people got their ads. This is not possible with ads on billboards or advertisement elsewhere in print. We got overwhelming response even before the launch of our free copy store and have tied up with nine big firms,’ the trio elaborated.

‘We have gathered enough advertisers, Kalaria said adding, ”our ads will be user specific, non-intrusive.”

Notably, the startup, which has got Rs 20 lakh grant from the government of Guajrat, also manages to generate a revenue of over 2.5 Lakh every month by inserting overleaf advertisements in the document that is printed, such that it does not disturb the original content.

Currently, the FreeCopy app acts as an online aggregator where a user can download the app and send prints while sitting at home, college or office, comparing prices of different photocopy stores around the city as they do so. FreeCopy is soon launching a print delivery option in which they will deliver prints and photocopies within 30 minutes to the user in less than Rs. 9, Kalaria informed.

The app was conceptualized by taking cues from their experiences in school where the rush against time, steep costs and wait time left the regular schedule in disarray. “There is no transparency or standardization in terms of prices in the market. A copy can cost as low as 33 paise and as high as Rs. 10,” adds Kunal Sheth. The founders decided to quit further education in order to solve these problems and start a company. “When we decided to not go to college, we faced a lot of criticism from the society. People thought we were crazy or over-inspired by Mark Zuckerburg and Bill Gates, but they did not see the business potential that we did,” saidTanmai Vachhani.

After much struggle, FreeCopy has already raised Rs. 20 lakh grant from the government of Gujarat under the Startup India scheme through the Innovation and Incubation Center (IIC) at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU). Using the funds in the best possible way, FreeCopy has successfully tied-up with 70+ stores and 5 colleges in Ahmedabad. In Mumbai, the network spans across 96 stores is also launched today. It has tie-ups with over 25 colleges, 5000+ active users and has been ranked amongst the top 8 startups in Ahmedabad by IIM-A, that had further offered them a funding worth Rs. 7.5 Lakh, Kalaria said adding that we in fact, had dabbled in business prior to the launch of FreeCopy. They had started a company called MafatCopy in Rajkot 4 years ago when we were in 10th Grade. MafatCopy had received a great national reception in the media and even other people started implementing the same idea. FreeCopy Zero has combined the potentials of MafatCopy and FreeCopy to deliver another gamechanger.

DeshGujarat