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Sri Mandir: A New Player in the Devotional App Market
Sri Mandir, an app that helps users connect with Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites, has recently raised $1 million in funding from investors such as Fundamentum Partnership and Susquehanna Asia VC. The startup plans to use this funding to expand its temple network and develop new features for religious tourism.
A Brief History of Sri Mandir
Sri Mandir was founded by Rohan Chandra, who had the idea to create an app that would help users plan their trips to Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites. The app allows users to book tickets, make travel plans, and even order prasad (food offerings) online.
Current Features and Plans for Expansion
Sri Mandir currently has a network of over 50 temples and pilgrimage sites in India. Users can search for temples by location, filter results based on ratings, and book tickets for special events such as festivals and pujas. The app also allows users to order prasad online, which is delivered directly to the temple.
The startup plans to expand its network of temples to over 500 within the next 12-18 months. It will also introduce new features, including a CRM-like experience for temples and historical places in India. This service will be available for free initially but may charge a fee for managing services later on.
Funding Round and Future Plans
The $1 million funding round was led by Fundamentum Partnership and saw participation from Susquehanna Asia VC as well as existing investors Elevation Capital, Mirae Asset VC, and Peak XV. The startup plans to use this funding to expand its temple network, develop new features for religious tourism, and build a more complex tech stack.
Competitors and Market Size
The devotional app market is dominated by larger players such as YouVersion Bible App (274 million downloads), Muslim Pro (132 million downloads), and King James Bible (122 million downloads). However, Sri Mandir’s focus on Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites gives it a unique selling proposition in the Indian market.
The startup believes that there is a $50 billion potential market for religious tourism in India. It plans to capture 5-10% of this market within the next few years through its app and other services.
Conclusion
Sri Mandir’s recent funding round and expansion plans make it an exciting player in the devotional app market. With its focus on Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites, it has a unique selling proposition in the Indian market. As the startup continues to expand its network of temples and develop new features for religious tourism, it is likely to become a major player in this space.
