When an IIT graduate noticed the most common problems faced by hotel customers, he decided to solve this problem. Launched in 2016, UClean provides doorstep laundry services. Now, it receives 3k+ daily orders and is operational in 100+ Indian cities, and charges between Rs 80 and Rs 180 per kg of laundry.
Interesting Fact: Yes, UClean takes your laundry by the kilo. Surprise!
| Startup Name | UClean |
| Founders | Arunabh Sinha |
| Industry | Coin laundry industry. |
| Company Classification | Private Limited |
| Headquarters/based-in | Faridabad, Haryana, India |
| Idea | To provide high-quality laundry services at your door. |
| Revenue | Rs 100 crore+ |
| Date of Commencement | October 2016 |
| Investments | Bootstrapped Rs 20 lakh |
| Number of Customers | 1 lakh+ |
Competitors: Pick My Laundry
The Problem: Why Does This Matter?
Whether on a holiday or a business trip, booking a room in a good hotel is the top priority after getting our tickets done. But entering the hotel room only to find stained bedsheets and unclean towels is an eyesore. It’s not just us but most people face the same scenarios in the hospitality industry.
The Solution: UClean
In 2015, Arunabh Sinha started working in the hospitality sector when hired by Treebo Hotels as the director of North India. At this time, Sinha noticed one of the biggest complaints that guests had; dirty clothes, stained bedding, and such things.
Realizing this situation, in October 2016, Sinha and his wife Gunjan Taneja started UClean in Delhi NCR. It operates on a unique approach of door-step laundry services and takes laundry in kg and not numbers.
By the end of 2017, the startup expanded in Pune and Hyderabad. Eventually, UClean has spread its operations to more than 350 stores in 104 cities in India.
Business Model: How Do They Make Money?
Bootstrapped with an investment of Rs 20 lakh, within 6 years, with a 323-store network in almost 100 Indian cities, UClean’s turnover has reached Rs 100 crore. Delhi is its strongest hub with 27 outlets.
UClean takes laundry by the kilo and the costs lie between Rs 80 and Rs 180 per kg. (Prices vary from city to city.)
The company has headquarters in Faridabad in a 3,500 sq ft office with a workforce of 60 full-time employees. The company works along with 1,400 personnel on the payrolls of franchise partners.
The company offers door-to-door laundry service. Customers can order the service via different methods:
- Through application
- By dialing UClean call center number.
- Via UClean WhatsApp bot
- By dropping at the store
Moreover, customers have the privilege to do their own laundry in a few stores that offer a DIY format, similar to the US and Europe.
Challenges/Struggles: What Roadblocks Are They Facing?
With its unique approach, UClean was the first such laundromat in the market. Despite this, they faced the following challenges.
Challenge: The company faced difficulties in finding business partners.
Since Arunabh didn’t have a background in the laundry business and had no operational stores at the beginning he found it difficult to convince the investors.
Slowly, by setting up his stores and gathering customers, UClean was able to gain investors’ trust and overcome the challenges.
Future Vision: What’s Next?
UClean is working towards launching in international markets including Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Middle East, Africa, Thailand, etc. in the coming years.
A Glimpse at the Founder’s Life
Arunabh Sinha was born and raised in Dimna village (10 km from Jamshedpur), Jharkhand, India. His mother was a homemaker and his father worked as an assistant at MGM Medical College, Jamshedpur.
He was the middle child and only son in the family. He, his 2 sisters and parents lived in a small government quarter on the medical college campus.
Arunabh was a bright student from a young age and despite financial restrictions, his family supported his education and eventually, he completed his masters in Metallurgy and Materials Science from IIT Bombay.
He got multiple high-paying job offers from multinational companies and he started working for ZS Associates as an analytical associate. Soon, he realized that he needed to start something of his own. Following his heart, in 2008, he started his 1st venture, Franglobal. It offers business consultations to foreign brands in India.
Key Takeaways: Why Should Users Care?
- To identify the gap in the market.
- Take actions accordingly.
- You can start a business, even if you do not have family experience in that field.
- Set up something, for investors to take note and believe in your vision.
- Work with a unique approach.
- Bring comfort to the public and offer quality services.
