Gobillion

Gobillion is a business-to-consumer (B2C) social commerce company founded in 2020 by Roshan Farhan and Kulapradip Bharali. The company operates an app-based platform that enables users in Tier 2 and smaller cities in India to form groups to purchase groceries and daily essentials collectively, thereby unlocking discounts. The founders, both IIM-NIT alumni from small towns in Assam, identified a gap in the market, recognizing that traditional e-commerce was not tailored for customers in these regions who value community and price sensitivity.

The company's business model is centered on a group-buying concept, which it facilitates through a feature called "Gobillion Shopping Rooms." This allows users to collaborate with friends and family on purchases, mirroring real-life social shopping behaviors to build trust and engagement among first-time e-commerce users. Gobillion utilizes an inventory-holding model, sourcing products directly from manufacturers and super-stockists to offer competitive pricing. The platform targets lower to middle-income households, a significant and underserved segment of the Indian market.

Since its operational launch in February 2021, initially in Guwahati and later expanding to Kolkata, Gobillion has demonstrated substantial growth. The startup is backed by Y Combinator and secured $2.9 million in a seed funding round in late 2021 from investors including Tinder-founder Justin Mateen's JAM Fund, Pioneer Fund, and Soma Capital. This capital is intended to fund market expansion into approximately 12 cities, enhance technological capabilities, and grow its team.

Keywords: social commerce, group buying, B2C e-commerce, Indian startups, grocery delivery, Tier 2 markets, mobile commerce, Y Combinator, community shopping, online groceries, retail technology, Roshan Farhan, Kulapradip Bharali, FMCG, value e-commerce, emerging markets, app-based retail, collective buying, discount shopping, e-commerce platform