The Hindu Business Line : ZoomIn to step up presence in India

Snapshot
The company, which has a centralised printing facility in Mumbai, helps people to take print outs which then get delivered through courier.
Google’s early investor Sherpalo Ventures promoted by Mr Ram Sriram, and Mr Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital, have invested in the company.

V. Rishi Kumar

Hyderabad, March 16 ZoomIn, a start-up promoted by a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, has evolved into a company that facilitates people to share photographs online and follows it up with prints and delivers them offline. The company is in the process of expanding its India footprint.

This is different from other sites such as Flikr and Napfish, which help people host photographs and share them online. ZoomIn, which has established a centralised printing facility in Mumbai, helps people to take print outs which then get delivered through courier.

The entire business model centres around quick delivery. This model is also finding professional photographers, who are busy during wedding season, taking advantage of the site services.

Significantly, apart from targeting the Indian diaspora, who want to have their snaps sent to their relatives and friends in India, even professionals are getting hooked to this site, according to Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ZoomIn, Mr Sunny Balijepalli.

The company has received a shot in the arm with Google’s early investor Sherpalo Ventures promoted by Mr Ram Sriram, and Mr Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital, pumping in early stage investments. This investment is more strategic in nature as they bring their expertise and learning on to the company board, he said.

For Mr Sunny, who spent over two decades in the US, and is himself a venture capitalist, funds were no issue as the company he co-founded Half.com was acquired by ebay for $350 million.

The site has interesting insights. Within few months of its commercial launch, while about 80 per cent of users are amateurs in the US, in India, 75 per cent of the people using the site are professionals, he said.

Apart from taking print outs, ZoomIn also offers other services including albums, slideshows, and DVD and helps in customisation by printing them on mugs, greeting cards and other merchandise.

Unlike other sites, the company focus is on India and Indians abroad, he explained.

More Stories on : Internet | Photographic & Allied Products

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
InfoJack – the latest malware to hit handsets with Net connectivity

IT cos’ demand for SEZ space rising, post-Budget

Kerala Govt to acquire 507 acres for Technocity

ZoomIn to step up presence in India

Build on IT strengths: Infosys CEO