Deep Kalra is the founder of MakeMyTrip.com, India's leading online travel portal. He started his career in banking but realized he wanted to do something on his own. He joined AMF Bowling to help pioneer the concept in India. This experience gave him an entrepreneurial mindset. He later joined GE where he helped develop their online strategy. He realized the potential of the internet to change lives and started MakeMyTrip at age 30. The company struggled during the dotcom bust but was saved by focusing on the US NRI market. MakeMyTrip has since grown to become very successful with over $250 million in annual sales and 10,000 tickets sold daily. Deep faced many challenges as an entrepreneur but
3. TRIPPING ALONG
Deep Kalra (PGP 1992), makemytrip.com
Deep went into business the way every
entrepreneur dreams it will happen: a venture
capitalist offered him $ 2 million to start up.
But with the dotcom bust he had to invest his
life savings and buy back his own company.
Makemytrip.com is today India's leading travel
portal.
4. BA from St Stephen's college, and then an MBA
from IIM Ahmedabad.
Agar kuch banana hai toh khud hi banana padega
- Deep Kalra (Founder of Makemytrip.com).
Out of campus Deep joined ABN Amro . After a
year or so he realised Banking nahin karnee
!There was the seed of a thought - it would be
fun to do something of your own .
After 3 years of banking and exploring different
businesses he joined AMF Bowling .
He joined AMF Bowling, which pioneered the
concept of bowling alleys in India.
AMF had no operations in India, so the job was in
essence entrepreneurial.
5. Deep spent four years with AMF, and Really, really
tried very hard to make it happen.
Although Deep worked for AMF as an employee, it was
entrepreneurial for two reasons.
First:- The fixed salary component was low, it was
based around bonuses and how much equipment you
sold.
Second : There was very loose support from the US
office. Apart from equipment support and service
support, you pretty much did your own thing.
The disadvantage of working with AMF was that there
was nothing much to learn beyond a point. Hence Deep
thought of going back to working for a big company
and joined GE Countrywide.
6. In GE he was inspired by President Nitin Gupta who
wanted to provide his company a quantum leap and
wanted to make use of internet as a way to sell
consumer finance. Deep was entrusted this work.
Around the same time Deep came across people like
Ajit Balakrishnan at rediff.com, Sanjeev Bikhchandani
at naukri.com and the folks behind sify.com. That's
when the turning point happened.
These meetings provided the fundamental thought of
Internet will change the life of the people in future.
I realised internet is going to change our life
fundamentally and I always wanted to do my own
thing. I was 30 years old and said to myself, Abhi
nahin kiya to kabhi nahin karenge
7. Two plans:
- Online travel stock broking.
Venture started as India Ahoy later
rechristened makemytrip.com.
Neeraj Managing Partner of eVentures gave
him the money.
Deep agreed to give 70% of the company for
2 millions dollars to him.
Second chance to get it back as eVentures
packed up from India. Deep brought his own
company with his life savings.
8. CHALLENGING DAYS
In June 2001 salary payment became difficult.
The company shrank from 40 employees to
around 20.
Moved from smart 3000 sq ft office to 1000 sq
ft.
two and half months salaries to pay.Came
close to sutting down.
No one buying online
9. STRATEGIES USED
Makemytrip stooped marketing in India and
focused on US based NRIs.
This saved the company.
Booking online at good price.
2005 makemytrip became nice ,robust and
profitable.
Launched in 2005 September to India again.
Revamped to Indian market.Second big trend
was meeting the folks at Indian Railways.
10. GROWTH
By March 2008 makemytrip achived a growth
of $250 millions in sales (aprox 1000 crores).
$20 million in commission or Rs 80- 90
crores.
70% of business is now from India, with close
to 10,000 tickets sold online each day.
within 11 months of launch makemytrip
became the highest issuer of air tickets.
11. Set up 20 stores across country to sell holiday
packages.
Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund was the first
to invest.
In subsequent rounds Deep took money from
three funds-Helion Partners,Sierra Ventures
and Tiger Global.
Now scaling of employees from 20 to 75
people.
At the end Deep knows he was lucky to get a
second life as an Entrepreneur.
12. QUALITIES OF DEEP KALRA AS
ENTREPENUR
Risk taker
Innovative
Inner confidence
Fun in work
Honesty
Support from family
Belief
13. CHALLENGES FACED
Sell other products online
To manage many investors
Being innovative
Sustaining in economy crisis
Indian business profitable.
14. ADVICE TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Choose your field very carefully.
Plan your fundings very carefully.
Its all about people
Make friends at work and promote an
honest and open working atmosphere.
Dont focus too much on exits.