SAMEER SINGH SAPEHIA
Astrology reveals the will of gods these words perfectly resonates with turn of events that took place in the life of 33-years-old Puneet Gupta. Gupta, a resident of Nai Basti area in Bathinda who graduated (B Tech in Electronics) from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Chandigarh in 2011 made a fortune for himself. After working in an investment bank in Mumbai for few years, he later launched his own start-up called AstroTalk in 2017, today this venture’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) is INR 1400 crores (monthly average approx Rs 125 crores). His father Vijay Kumar runs a shop of handloom items in Bathinda where his elder brother assist him in work. Puneet had never believed in astrology until a female collegaue in the bank who practised astrology once foretold something regarding his professional life which came about true. This is an online application-based venture where astrologers from across the country and even from overseas locations have got themselves registered who provide their servcies (paid) online to people. Today, it is one of the fastest growing start-up in the country. His mother Prabha Rani is a retired banker.
Puneet who is the founder of AstroTalk said, “Before starting this venture, I had already built some apps. I never believed in it and had always considered astrology nothing but wastage of time. I even laughed at people especially educated one’s talking about astrology that too in the 21st century. But fine day, my colleague’s predictions about my career and that of the company we worked came about true in two years time precisely what she had foretold me. Then i sensed an opportunity thinking that there is no such online app-based astrology platform available on web and it has potential to grow. Today, we have more than 3 crores people in the country and abroad who had availed astrology servcies on our platform. It being the new idea clicked well among masses as people especially when not sitting physically in front of an astrologer, found it extermely convenient to open a lot about their lives. People have insecurities but they have the luxury of not being judged online. We provide first session to people visiting on our app free of cost. Around 15 percent of our total revenue comes from overaseas lcoations and at the same time ancient Indian practice is growing popular day-by-day.”
Gupta who studied from Saint Xavier School in Bathinda said, “Like most us, I also had my fair share of ups and downs in life before making it big. In the hope that i would start my own venture, I quit the job and came back to Bathinda. But after unsuccessfully trying my hand at different ventures, I had even exahausted whatever meagre savings i had. I again returned to Mumbai and did not have money to take rented accomodation and used to sleep on floor for some days. I remained without work for quite some time and after failing at number of attempts to start my venture even went into deep depression; shut myself inside room for days. But all this while that inclination to learn new things and honing my skills did not die. “