From JEE Failure to Entrepreneurial Success

Mumbai, October 24: Kuldeep Rathore is a remarkable example of turning setbacks into success. After taking a year off to prepare for the JEE exam, he was unable to clear it. However, in September 2023, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree program in Data Science at IIT Madras, the world’s first institution to offer a four-year BS degree online and in hybrid mode. This format allowed him to continue his studies while also learning the intricacies of entrepreneurship.

Kuldeep, along with co-founder Shivansh Sharma, launched a fashion quick-commerce project named ZODOK. They developed a model to provide fashion products at lower prices by collaborating with manufacturers in Surat.

In the early stages of their business, they rented a flat, created a website, and began improving their delivery system. ZODOK quickly gained traction, receiving over 100 orders daily and attracting more than 10,000 users. Their startup was later acquired by KNOT, providing Kuldeep with valuable business experience.

Through KNOT, he established a supply network in Surat, Delhi NCR, and China, connecting with over 100 manufacturers. This experience enhanced his knowledge in product sourcing, private label product development, and supply chain management.

Kuldeep also explored ways to optimize sourcing and business processes to make products more affordable. He applied these insights to advance his third project, SamanNow, which aims to deliver everyday products to customers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities within 60 minutes. The company focuses on keeping product prices affordable and has secured a total pre-seed funding of $1.1 million (approximately ₹9.5 to ₹10 crore).