Dukaan: Lending fresh expertise to exciting new enterprises

Somashekar Patil, MD of one of India’s largest and fastest growing agarbathi manufacturers, Ullas Agarbathi, recently invested in Dukaan — a homegrown app helping small merchants across the country to set up an online store. Patil has run the Bengaluru-based Ullas Agarbathi for the past 25 years and the legacy brand specialises in manufacturing quality incense products that it ships to over 40 countries across the globe.

Dukaan’s popularity as DIY platform for merchants wanting to go online, has catapulted during the pandemic.

The app has now been used by over 2.7 million merchants across India who have generated over 600,000 orders so far, resulting in a total gross merchandise value of over Rs 100 crore.


When asked about his decision to invest in an online platform like Dukaan, Patil said, “For the past 25 years, I have been in the retail and manufacturing business, and I know the problems faced by the small businesses community.

Hence, building on my experience in the FMCG sector and combining it with advanced technology will lead to an enriching co-creative experience and most importantly, a brighter future for dukaandars.”

Ullas and other group products have built a huge customer base for themselves and are available on all the large e-commerce portals today. Patil, who heads Patil Parimala Works, understands the hardships of entrepreneurship well. The dynamic businessman, who believes in following his father’s vision, is driven to share his expertise with younger entrepreneurs.

Patil says that he offers wholehearted support and investment because he has full faith in the immense potential of Dukaan. The platform is unique in the way that it allows local shops to prosper.

Especially with the pandemic hitting most businesses hard, Dukaan is unique because it has freshness in its approach and is innovative.

In a world where most businesses are dependent on third party application based deliveries, Dukaan brings the ones who are left out, on the platform. The app will transform your brick and mortar local store effortlessly to an online store, helping you order your essentials, just a click away.

By investing in an online platform like Dukaan that helps retailers to adapt to technology, Patil hopes to mentor young entrepreneurs, and share his wealth of knowledge and expertise of 25 years. A little guidance and support is all that is required to bring out the best in any new enterprise. With this collaboration, that is exactly what both the investor and investee are looking forward to, with the USP of simplicity in their ideas and intention.

Dukaan recently raised $6 million in seed funding that was co-led by Matrix Partners India and Lightspeed India.

Some of the marquee angel investors have also participated in the round of funding for the app.