Swish, a Bangalore-based rapid food delivery startup, has secured $2 million in seed funding led by Accel. Prominent angel investors, including Urban Company co-founders Abhiraj Bhal and Varun Khaitan, as well as former Swiggy Instamart head Karthik Gurumurthy, also participated in the funding round. The investment will fuel Swish’s expansion across Bengaluru and its future entry into other Tier-1 cities, according to the company’s statement.

A New Player in the Rapid Delivery Market

Founded in 2024 by Aniket Shah, Ujjwal Sukheja, and Saran S, Swish operates on a 10-minute delivery model using strategically located cloud kitchens, referred to as “delight centers.” These centers operate within a 1.5-2 km radius, ensuring quick and hygienic food delivery. The startup launched its operations in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout and has since expanded to Bellandur, gaining traction for its innovative approach to hyperlocal food delivery.

Demand for Speedy Services

Highlighting the demand for quicker services, Swish CEO and co-founder Aniket Shah stated, “We realized that quick commerce, initially seen as a convenience, has quickly become indispensable as people seek faster solutions to their everyday needs. Despite advancements in other categories, food delivery still takes 30-60 minutes, falling short of customer expectations, particularly for instant cravings.”

Market Potential

India’s quick commerce sector is currently valued at billions and is projected to reach $40 billion by 2030. Swish aims to tap into this potential by establishing 150 delight centers across Bengaluru by March 2025, solidifying its position as a leader in the segment.

Competitive Landscape

The rapid food delivery market is becoming increasingly competitive, with established players like Zomato and Swiggy also expanding their quick commerce offerings. Swish’s focus on ultra-fast delivery could give it an edge in capturing market share among consumers seeking immediate food solutions.

Strategic Insights from Investors

Commenting on the investment, Accel partner Abhinav Chaturvedi said, “Customer expectations around delivery times have evolved significantly with the rise of quick commerce. Swish is addressing this challenge by rethinking the supply chain and delivering an ultra-fast experience through their delight centers, bringing innovation to food delivery.”

Unique Operational Model

Swish employs a unique full-stack model that allows it to control all aspects of its operations in-house, including app design, food preparation, delivery mechanics, transport, and supply chain management. This vertical integration helps maintain quality and efficiency while reducing operational costs.

Future Expansion Plans

With plans to scale aggressively, Swish intends to set up additional cloud kitchens (referred to as “Pods”) in high-demand areas of Bengaluru. The startup aims to enhance its menu offerings with healthier options while ensuring that the quality of food remains uncompromised.

Financial Viability

As part of its operational strategy, Swish has managed to keep capital expenditures low while achieving strong unit economics. The startup currently receives approximately 150-200 orders daily, with an average order value of INR 250-300. The founders believe that maintaining high margins—around 70%—on food items will support sustainable growth.

Conclusion

With a unique approach to hyperlocal food delivery and significant backing from investors, Swish is poised to redefine the rapid delivery landscape in India. By focusing on speed and customer satisfaction while leveraging technology and efficient operations, Swish aims to establish itself as a leading player in the burgeoning quick commerce sector.

As it prepares for expansion and continues refining its operational model, Swish represents an exciting development in the Indian food delivery market—one that could potentially disrupt established norms and set new benchmarks for service speed and quality.

PhysicsWallah, renowned as an online education platform, is eyeing substantial growth in its offline revenue, targeting Rs 1,050 crore in FY25. To meet this ambitious goal, the company plans to launch 75 new centres, further extending its reach to both established and untapped locations, including cities like Udaipur, Pune, Akola, and Indore, with an emphasis on expanding into regions such as Jabalpur, Pulwama, Baramulla, and Chennai.

Recent Funding and Expansion Plans

With a recent $210 million funding round concluded on September 20, PhysicsWallah—backed by WestBridge Capital—currently operates 124 offline centres in 94 cities. By adding new centres, the company aims to establish approximately 200 centres, primarily in North India, while also focusing on expanding into the South.

Ankit Gupta, CEO of PhysicsWallah’s offline centres vertical, highlighted a 52% growth in offline revenue year-on-year. He noted that since launching its offline business in 2021, it now contributes about 45% of the edtech firm’s total revenue.

“We see great potential in bringing quality education to every corner of the country through physical centres,” said Gupta, stressing the platform’s commitment to providing affordable access to education, especially in smaller cities that traditionally lacked coaching infrastructure.

Financial Performance

In FY24, PhysicsWallah’s consolidated revenue reached Rs 2,000 crore—a 2.5x rise compared to the previous year. However, net profit declined to Rs 16 crore from Rs 98 crore in FY22 due to increased employee expenses and other provisions. Competing with established players like Byju’s Aakash Institute, Allen Career Institute, and Unacademy, PhysicsWallah’s offline centres offer coaching for engineering and medical entrance exams.

Investment in Infrastructure

With edtech witnessing a pivot to offline models post-COVID, PhysicsWallah has invested approximately Rs 400 crore to date in its physical centres, namely Vidyapeeth and Pathshala. Vidyapeeth centres are equipped with tech-enabled classrooms, while Pathshala centres follow a hybrid model that combines online lessons with in-person doubt sessions.

To further its expansion into tier II–IV cities, PhysicsWallah plans an additional investment of Rs 100-150 crore next year. Gupta explained:

“In tier III and IV cities, access to quality education remains limited,” emphasizing the potential impact of the Pathshala model on smaller towns.

Strategic Goals and Future Prospects

Founders Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari noted that the latest funds will support the platform’s offline expansion, regional diversification, and possible acquisition initiatives. The company previously secured $100 million in 2022, valuing it at $1.1 billion. This year, the Indian edtech sector has raised approximately $215 million, down from $321 million in 2023, reflecting a broader shift in the industry towards sustainable growth models.

Competitive Landscape

As PhysicsWallah expands its offline presence amid increasing competition from established players, it aims to leverage its strong brand recognition and existing infrastructure. The focus on tier II–IV cities aligns with market trends indicating rising demand for quality education outside major urban centers.

Conclusion

PhysicsWallah’s ambitious target of achieving Rs 1,050 crore in offline revenue for FY25 underscores its commitment to expanding access to quality education across India. By investing significantly in new centres and leveraging its existing network, the company is strategically positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the education sector.

As this expansion unfolds, it will be crucial for PhysicsWallah to maintain its focus on quality while navigating the challenges associated with rapid growth. The ongoing investment in both infrastructure and innovative educational models reflects a proactive approach to fostering long-term success in a competitive landscape.

Zomato has launched a new “Order Scheduling” feature, allowing users to pre-plan their food orders for precise delivery timing. This addition enables customers to schedule orders up to two days in advance, making it ideal for organizing office lunches, weekend gatherings, or even daily coffee routines.

Expanding in the E-Catering Industry

Currently available across 35,000+ restaurants in 30 cities, including major hubs like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune, the feature aims to enhance convenience and flexibility for Zomato users. The introduction of this feature aligns with Zomato’s strategy to improve user experience and cater to the growing demand for reliable food delivery services.

How It Works

With Order Scheduling, customers can set delivery times ranging from two hours to two days ahead. After selecting their items, they choose a delivery time at checkout. If their preferred time slot is unavailable, Zomato suggests an alternative. Users can also cancel scheduled orders up to three hours before the planned delivery time, providing added flexibility.

Benefits for Restaurant Partners

The Order Scheduling feature not only benefits customers but also supports restaurant partners by helping them manage capacity and balance order flow during slower hours. This can lead to steadier sales, as restaurants can better anticipate demand. Integration of the feature requires no additional training for restaurant staff, allowing for seamless adoption. Restaurant partners can also select which menu items are available for scheduled orders.

Built-In Safeguards

To ensure reliability, Zomato has implemented several safeguards:

• Only restaurants with strong records of timely preparation and high availability are eligible.
• Restaurants receive advance notifications for scheduled orders.
• They control which items are available for pre-order, reducing the chance of substitutions or shortages.

Market Context and Strategic Importance

The introduction of the Order Scheduling feature is part of Zomato’s broader strategy to differentiate itself in a competitive market where players like Swiggy are constantly innovating. By offering a service that caters to both individual users and businesses requiring precise delivery timing, Zomato enhances customer loyalty and attracts new users who value flexibility in their food ordering experience.

Customer Feedback

Initial responses from users have been positive, with many expressing excitement about the convenience of scheduling meals ahead of time. This feature is particularly appealing to corporate clients, families, and individuals who prefer planning their meals in advance.

Future Expansion Plans

Zomato plans to expand this feature beyond the initial 30 cities and may eventually offer it across all orders regardless of value. The company aims to continuously improve its service offerings based on customer feedback and operational capabilities.

Conclusion

Zomato’s launch of the Order Scheduling feature marks a significant advancement in its service offerings, enhancing the overall food delivery experience for users. By allowing customers to pre-plan their meals and providing reliable delivery options, Zomato is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving food tech landscape.

As this feature rolls out and gains traction among users, it will be interesting to see how it influences customer behavior and impacts Zomato’s market position relative to its competitors. The focus on convenience and reliability reflects changing consumer preferences in an increasingly busy world.