In an exclusive interview, Kunal Kharat, the dynamic Director of Cityglide Travel Solutions, shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the mission driving his company’s impact in the transportation and mobility sector. From overcoming challenges to leveraging innovation and technology, Mr. Kharat discusses how Cityglide Travels is revolutionizing commuting practices while fostering sustainability and social responsibility. Discover the unique initiatives, future plans, and invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in this illuminating discussion.
Background and Journey:
Q. Can you share a brief about you and an overview of your professional journey and how you ventured into your current business domain? Also, Please share your personal background as well.
I was born and brought up in Pune. After completing my school, I went abroad and pursued my graduation in the UK. Growing up, I saw my family build a first-generation business and it faced turbulent times during Covid. When I stepped into the business, I thought of building a business model that is perfectly moated/insulated with a strong support system strategic tie-ups, and growth potential.
Q. What motivated or inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation and mobility industry?
After my graduation in the UK and coming to India later on, I could see a lot of opportunities in the area of transportation and mobility, especially the last mile connectivity.
I then started working on those aspects of commuting after thorough research and understanding of how integration with technology will bring in a sea change to the end users and the drivers and build a robust business model.
I have seen people struggling with transportation in the corporate world. I have also seen how pollution and its aftereffects impact climate change. I then thought of developing a business of transportation that helps reduce congestion on roads and promotes the usage of public transportation to reduce carbon footprints.
Currently, we are working towards developing better common shared mobility concepts for corporates and citizens of India.
Key Accomplishments:
Q. What do you consider your most significant achievements or milestones in your career?
During the Covid period, there was a big void and gap and there was total disruption of the business all over. During this period, we advanced our technologies and innovated our business model, enabling us to achieve a three-digit topline within less than three years.
Challenges and Learnings:
Q. What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Challenges :
Manpower: Ensuring we had the right team in place.
Supply chain: Managing the complexities of logistics and supply chain.
Develop a hybrid model of integration technology into traditional transportation.
Innovation and Vision:
Q. Could you discuss your vision for the future of your business or the industry as a whole?
Currently, we are working towards gaining ground to be a leader in the Employee transportation domain and last-mile connectivity program with innovative models and first-of-its-kind systems and technologies. We are an inclusive workplace where we encourage Differently abled, women, and LGBTQ co-workers members into our team.
We have a sustainable approach towards transportation by using green fuel transitioning towards electric mobility and targeting net zero.
Our future vision is to embrace electric mobility and work towards enabling faster and effective and cheaper means of transportation, which can include electric mobility, Air taxis, and Drones, and ensuring every dry/dead mileage running gets converted into profitable revenue-based running.
Q. What are you looking forward to accomplishing most in 2024?
We are currently operating in over 18+ major cities and have our services operating in more than 300 cities for our car rental vertical.
We plan to be a top player in this domain pan India. And in the year 2024 and 2025, we plan to have a considerable global presence as well.
Closing Thoughts:
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share or any message you’d like to convey to the audience reading this feature about you?
Entrepreneurship is rewarding especially when you are able to generate employment for thousands of people and build a better life for channel partners and supply chain. We aim to empower them through entrepreneurship activities and initiatives, combined with fostering accountability and developing a feeling of ownership through distributed ownership programs. All this leads to greater personal contentment and fulfillment.
Our business model should be such that it should be a win-win for society and the stakeholders and make business as sustainable as possible.
Our Business model should be woven around society and help reach out and connect and empower maximum citizens for better lives and earning opportunities.
We believe that India will lead the world in entrepreneurship and be the backbone of India’s economy.
