Rs 35 lakh revenue from Rs 500 service: Two Hyderabad childhood friends built an app helping NRIs hire personal assistants in India

Two childhood friends from Hyderabad have turned a simple problem faced by Indians living abroad into a business generating lakhs of rupees. Their startup allows customers overseas to hire someone in India to shop for products, handle paperwork, visit properties and complete other physical tasks. Founded in 2023, their venture, Shoppin, has built a network of personal shoppers and assistants across India. The platform currently serves customers in more than 20 countries, offering a solution to people who need someone they can trust to handle things back home.


The interesting part of its business model is its pricing. Customers can hire a personal shopper in India for an initial fee of Rs 500, with additional hourly charges for shopping-related services. The startup generated Rs 33 lakh in revenue during FY26. It has already reported Rs 35 lakh in revenue between April and October 2026, indicating growing demand for its services.

Who are the founders of Shoppin?

Shoppin was founded by childhood friends Nishant Parepalli and Shashank Veer Pothaduri, both graduates of the Manipal Institute of Technology. The two completed their BTech degrees in 2016 but followed different professional paths before becoming entrepreneurs. Nishant pursued a master's degree at the University of Maryland in the US. He subsequently worked with major companies, including Samsung. During his stay abroad, he noticed a recurring problem among non-resident Indians (NRIs).

Many Indians living overseas depended on relatives in India to purchase specific products or complete everyday tasks. However, asking family members for repeated favours was not always convenient. Shashank, meanwhile, worked at Genpact before helping manage his mother's business, The Pickle Story. Their professional experiences and Nishant's observations about the difficulties faced by NRIs eventually brought them together around a business idea. In 2023, the childhood friends launched Shoppin.

Four services offered through the platform

Shoppin is not limited to shopping for customers. Its business model covers four broad categories, allowing people to outsource different physical tasks in India.

1. Personal shopping

Customers can hire someone to visit local markets and purchase products on their behalf. Personal shoppers share photographs or conduct live video calls so customers can examine products before making a decision. This can be particularly useful for NRIs looking for products available in specific Indian markets.

2. Personal assistance

The platform also handles everyday tasks that require someone to be physically present. These include collecting university transcripts, checking on properties, assisting elderly family members and completing paperwork. Customers can request assistance without having to travel to India themselves.

3. Sourcing and exports

The startup offers sourcing-related services to customers who need products or items procured from India.

4. Corporate services

Businesses can also use the platform for assistance with requirements that involve local coordination and physical execution.

How much does Shoppin charge customers?

The startup follows a service-based pricing model rather than charging a fixed amount for every assignment. In India, personal shopping starts at Rs 500 for the first hour. Customers pay Rs 250 for every additional hour. Personal assistance also starts at Rs 500 for the first task. Each additional task costs Rs 250.


However, these charges do not cover every expense. Product purchases, travel and delivery costs are billed separately. The company also charges a 15% service fee, along with 18% GST. For customers who frequently use the platform, Shoppin has introduced two membership options.

• Bronze membership: Rs 5,000 plus GST for six months.
• Silver membership: Rs 12,000 plus GST for 12 months.

The pricing structure allows customers to pay for individual requirements while giving regular users an option to purchase longer-term memberships.

3,500-4,500 customers across 20 countries

Shoppin has gradually expanded its operations beyond its initial customer base. According to the company's figures, it currently serves between 3,500 and 4,500 customers across more than 20 countries. Its network includes over 2,000 personal shoppers and approximately 1,500 personal assistants spread across India. Another important indicator is its repeat customer rate, which stands at around 30%. This suggests that a section of its customers returns to the platform after using its services.

From Rs 33 lakh revenue to Rs 2 crore target

The startup's financial performance has also shown growth. Shoppin recorded revenue of Rs 33 lakh in FY26. During the first seven months of FY27, from April to October 2026, its revenue reached Rs 35 lakh. As per reports, the founders have set an ambitious growth target for the coming years.

The company aims to close FY27 with Rs 90 lakh in revenue. It is targeting Rs 2 crore in revenue in the following financial year. To achieve these numbers, the founders are focusing on marketing, improving operations and expanding their network of shoppers and assistants.

(Source: NBT)