Chapter 7 : The First Step Towards......

Vinay Mehta studied the young man standing before him. He had sat through countless pitches over the years, but rarely had he seen someone so young speak with such clarity and conviction. The boy wasn't just throwing out ideas—he had built a well-thought-out plan, backed by logic and strategy.

He exchanged glances with a few of the other board members, some of whom were still processing the sheer scale of what Advay had proposed. Then, with a small nod, Vinay leaned forward, his elbows resting on the polished wooden table.

"I'll admit, Advay, your pitch is impressive. But let's get into the real heart of it—logistics." His voice was measured, his tone laced with curiosity rather than skepticism. "Even if we assume demand exists, execution will be your biggest challenge. Managing thousands of orders, coordinating deliveries, partnering with restaurants—it's not as simple as building an app and waiting for it to take off. Have you thought about the real-world hurdles?"

Advay met Vinay's gaze without hesitation. He had expected this question. In fact, he welcomed it.

"Yes," he said smoothly, stepping closer to the long conference table. His hands remained steady at his sides, his emerald-green eyes sharp with confidence. "The key to making this work isn't just connecting customers with restaurants—it's about creating an efficient, scalable ecosystem where every component functions seamlessly."

With a slight motion of his hand, he gestured toward the digital screen at the end of the room, where a structured slide displayed a breakdown of his plan.

Restaurant Partnerships

"We begin by onboarding restaurants through a revenue-sharing model. Each partner restaurant will list its menu on our platform, and we'll handle the order placement through our app. In return, we take a small commission per transaction. This approach benefits both parties: restaurants receive increased sales without investing in their own delivery logistics, and we secure a steady revenue stream."

Vinay nodded, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against the table. "And what about delivery? Restaurants handling their own deliveries have always been inconsistent. How do you plan to fix that?"

Advay's lips curled into a small smile. "That brings me to the next key component."

Independent Delivery Fleet

"The backbone of this business will be the delivery network. Rather than relying on restaurants to fulfill orders—which is inefficient and inconsistent—we will establish a fleet of independent delivery personnel. These individuals will register on our platform, similar to gig workers, and receive order assignments based on real-time location tracking and efficiency metrics. Payments will be made per delivery, with performance-based incentives to ensure speed and reliability."

One of the other board members, a woman in her late forties, raised an eyebrow. "And what about customer satisfaction? What prevents unreliable delivery personnel from hurting your brand reputation?"

Advay nodded at the question, unfazed.

Customer-Centric Experience

"The entire model will be built around customer satisfaction. Our app will provide real-time order tracking, estimated delivery times, and seamless digital payments. More importantly, we will implement a dual-rating system, where both customers and restaurants rate delivery personnel, ensuring quality control. Those with consistently high ratings will receive priority assignments and better incentives, creating a self-regulating ecosystem that encourages efficiency."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "Additionally, we'll introduce a 24/7 customer support team, AI-driven logistics optimization, and hyperlocal marketing strategies to keep users engaged."

Vinay studied the young man, his mind whirring. It was an ambitious plan, but it was feasible. More than that—it was revolutionary.

Still, there was one more question that needed answering. "Competition," he said simply. "If this takes off, others will follow. Big restaurant chains, tech giants—what stops them from replicating your model and cutting you out?"

Advay was already prepared. His voice remained steady as he answered, "First-mover advantage is crucial, but beyond that, branding and customer loyalty will be our strongest assets. People don't just order food—they order trust and convenience. If we establish ourselves as the most reliable, easy-to-use service from the start, customers will choose us instinctively."

He let that sink in before continuing, "Additionally, we can introduce loyalty programs, exclusive partnerships with popular restaurants, and even subscription models for frequent users. The goal is to create an ecosystem so ingrained in their daily lives that switching to a competitor feels like a hassle."

Silence filled the boardroom. Several directors exchanged glances, clearly impressed. Vinay leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked onto Advay's, deep in thought.

The boy was young—far younger than anyone they had ever considered investing in. But talent couldn't be measured in years. It was measured in vision, strategy, and execution. And this boy, standing before them with the presence of a seasoned entrepreneur, had all three.

After a moment, Vinay gave a small nod. "You've thought this through."

Vinay leaned forward, tapping his fingers lightly against the polished mahogany table. His sharp gaze locked onto Advay.

"I see the vision, and your plan is structured well," he said. "But let's talk about the real question—how will this company make money? Food delivery is a competitive space. What's stopping this from becoming just another cash-burning venture?"

Advay gave a small nod. He had expected this question.

"There are three primary revenue streams we'll capitalize on," he began confidently, clicking the remote to switch to the next slide of his presentation.

Commission from Restaurants

"The primary revenue source will be commission-based earnings from partner restaurants. Every order placed through our platform will have a commission ranging from 20% to 30% depending on the restaurant's deal with us. High-end restaurants will be charged a lower percentage to ensure exclusivity, while smaller eateries will pay a higher rate in exchange for visibility and delivery services."

Vinay nodded slightly, but his expression remained neutral. Advay took that as a cue to continue.

Delivery and Convenience Fees

"We will implement a dynamic delivery fee model. Customers will be charged a base fee, but this will fluctuate based on demand, time of day, and delivery distance. Additionally, we'll introduce a 'priority delivery' option for customers willing to pay extra to have their orders delivered faster."

Some of the board members exchanged glances. They had seen similar models succeed before, and this was a proven method of revenue generation.

Subscription-Based Membership

"We'll introduce a premium subscription model—'Swiggy Prime'—that offers members zero delivery fees, priority customer support, and exclusive discounts. Subscription-based revenue provides consistent cash flow and improves customer retention. The goal is to make this a must-have service for regular users."

Vinay raised an eyebrow. "Subscription models work when you have a loyal customer base. How do you plan on getting people to sign up in the first place?"

Advay smiled. "The first month will be free for all new users. Once they experience the benefits, a significant percentage will convert into paying members. The same strategy has been used by platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix. People are willing to pay for convenience."

Long-Term Expansion: Cloud Kitchens & Advertising

"Once we establish ourselves, we'll expand into cloud kitchens—restaurants without a dine-in space, exclusively serving delivery orders. This will increase our margins significantly as we won't have to split profits with third-party restaurants."

He clicked to the final slide.

"And finally, we'll introduce in-app advertising. Restaurants and brands will pay to have their listings promoted on our platform. This is an extremely high-margin revenue stream and will be a major source of profits once we scale."

Advay looked around the room. He could tell that he had their attention.

Vinay leaned back, exhaling. "I'll admit, that's a solid strategy." Then he smirked. "You talk like you've been running businesses for years."

Advay simply smiled. "I just know what works."

Vinay leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the polished wooden table. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Advay, assessing, calculating. "Alright, you've convinced me that the model works. But let's talk numbers. How much are you looking for?"

Advay met his gaze head-on, his voice steady. "I need 7 million dollars in exchange for 10% equity in Swiggy."

A wave of murmurs spread across the boardroom. Some of the directors exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism. A 7-million-dollar investment wasn't a small amount, especially in an industry that was still relatively untested in India.

Vinay raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Let's say I invest. But what if the idea doesn't work out? What happens to my money then?"

Advay remained composed. Without a word, he reached into his suit pocket, pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and slid it across the table to Vinay.

The older man picked it up, his gaze narrowing as he scanned the screen.

$8,000,000.

Silence.

One of the board members leaned forward, adjusting his glasses as if to make sure he was seeing the numbers correctly. A few others whispered among themselves, surprised by the revelation.

"This," Advay finally spoke, his tone unwavering, "is the money I've personally earned through investments over the years. If Swiggy fails, I'll personally refund your 7 million."

Vinay let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"Very."

Arjun, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, finally smirked from his seat at the head of the table. His arms were crossed, his expression proud yet amused as he watched his son command the room like a seasoned entrepreneur.

Vinay placed the phone back on the table and looked at Advay with newfound respect. "Where the hell did you learn all this?"

Advay picked up his phone and slid it back into his pocket. "Just a bit of common sense… and a lot of reading."

Laughter rippled through the room, breaking some of the tension.

Vinay leaned forward, his fingers tapping against the polished wooden table as he studied Advay with sharp eyes. The weight of the conversation hung in the air, the other board members watching intently.

"If you already have the money," he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity, "why are you seeking investment at all?"

Advay opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Arjun chuckled softly, drawing all eyes to him. He leaned back in his chair, the picture of ease, but there was an unmistakable pride in his voice as he spoke.

"He has the money, sure," Arjun said, glancing at his son with a small smirk. "But tell me, Vinay, how exactly do you expect an eleven-year-old to go around securing partnerships, negotiating deals, and building an entire company from the ground up? No matter how sharp he is, most people won't take him seriously."

Vinay exhaled through his nose, nodding slightly. "That's true…"

Advay took the moment to add, "It's not just about the money. Having an experienced investor brings credibility. I want Swiggy to scale fast, and I need someone who understands business to be a part of it. That's why I'm here."

Vinay sat back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Fair point." He paused for a second before his eyes narrowed slightly. "But isn't 10% equity a little low for a 7-million-dollar investment?"

A hush fell over the room as the question settled in. Some board members exchanged glances, intrigued by how Advay would respond.

Before he could, Arjun smirked again, resting his elbow on the table as he looked at Vinay.

"Tell me," he said, tilting his head slightly, "how much do you think Swiggy will be worth in the future?"

Vinay's gaze flickered toward Advay before he responded, "If things go well… maybe 200 to 300 million dollars."

The moment the words left his mouth, Arjun let out a deep, hearty laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "Vinay, Vinay… you're thinking too small." He leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly but carrying undeniable confidence. "I'd bet that in a decade, it'll be worth more than 6 to 7 billion dollars."

A stunned silence filled the room. The sheer scale of the number left some board members visibly taken aback. Even Vinay, who had decades of experience in business, seemed momentarily speechless.

He let out a slow exhale, rubbing his temples as he processed what he had just heard. Then, after a few seconds, a slow grin spread across his face.

"You're that confident, huh?" he mused.

Arjun simply smiled, while Advay met Vinay's gaze with unwavering certainty.

Vinay chuckled, shaking his head before extending his hand toward Advay.

"Alright, kid. You've got yourself an investor."