IIT Mandi Catalyst Pitch
The Digital Layer for
Himalayan Discovery
Connecting Tourists to the authentic local ecosystem. We provide a Map-Centric Discovery Network for travelers, powered by an affordable Operating System for Himalayan properties and retailers.
Two Problems. One Unified Network.
Tourists struggle to discover verified local activities, while properties are suffocating under ₹7,000+/month legacy software stacks. We solve both sides of the marketplace simultaneously.
QR-Triggered Map Discovery
The Problem: Finding trustworthy local retail and activities is a disjointed nightmare plagued by unverified agents charging 30-50% margins.
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✓Instant Map Activation The moment a guest books a service or scans a Room/Cafe QR, our interactive map loads in the background, instantly visualizing all partnered retail, artisans, and activities nearby.
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✓Frictionless Itineraries Users know definitively that the artisan handloom or trek starts right next to their basecamp, allowing them to build a trusted itinerary seamlessly.
Market Potential & The Moat
The Himalayan corridor represents a high-density, highly fragmented market. Current tech is built for massive global hotel chains, leaving 70% of local MSMEs completely offline.
~1.5M+ registered properties nationwide needing digitization and distribution.
~42,000 properties across HP, UK, and J&K requiring specialized local infrastructure.
Targeting 984 properties (out of 9,843 registered in HP) at a verified ₹30K ARR (₹24K Base SaaS + Conservative ₹6K Commissions)
Competitor Matrix: Why HimLocal Wins
| Feature / Need | Legacy Tech (STAAH/Petpooja) | OTAs / Offline Agents | HimLocal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Structure | Expensive (₹7,000+/mo) | OTA Comm: 15-20% | Highly Cost-Effective (Fractional fee) |
| Activity Commissions | None | Local Agents: 30-50% | Blended: 5-10% (Massive Disruption) |
| Target Value | B2B Operations Only | B2C Transactions Only | Dual: Connects Tourist to Business |
| Local Discovery | None | Siloed to Accommodations | Map-Centric Retail/Activity Links |
| Cross-Selling | None | None | Businesses earn on network referrals |
Business Model & Unit Economics
Our SaaS-enabled approach creates highly scalable revenue streams across three distinct vendor tiers, minimizing friction while maximizing network GMV (Gross Merchandise Value).
Scale Projection Simulator
Waived Onboarding Setup (₹5k-10k)The "Zero CAC" Land & Expand Funnel
1. Land (B2B Sales)
We onboard properties & retailers by offering them our essential PMS/admin software at disruptive regional pricing.
2. Expand (Auto-Onboarding)
Guests arriving at the property scan HimLocal QRs for room service. They instantly enter our digital ecosystem without B2C marketing spend.
3. Cross-Sell (Discovery)
Acquired guests use our network map to discover and book nearby retail and activities. Result: Free B2C user acquisition driven by our B2B partners.
Traction & Team
We are currently in the active prototyping phase, focusing on laying a solid B2B foundation, debugging the core architecture, and securing strategic terms.
🚀 Validation Milestones
Payment Infrastructure Ready
Multi-gateway payment stack integrated with automated vendor splits and commission handling. Supports UPI, cards, and COD — optimized for low-cost rural transactions.
Core Architecture & Pilots
The core infrastructure is deployed for testing. We have seeded the network with soft commitments from 1 Hotel Partner and 1 Retail Startup to serve as our day-one feedback loop while we squash bugs.
👨💻 The Builder
Solo Technical Founder
B.Tech Engineering, NIT Hamirpur | Kullu Native
3 years of enterprise backend engineering at Samsung. Previously built TrackNation.in.
"Ground-Reality Engineering: I know which roads flood, how network signals behave at altitude, and what Himalayan vendors actually need."
Execution Roadmap
"We aren't just pitching a concept today; we are actively building and piloting this ecosystem."
Development and field piloting are in active motion. However, securing the MeitY NIDHI-EIR grant and Catalyst's mentorship will drastically accelerate our Q3/Q4 commercial launch and corporate structuring.
Phase 0
Ideation & Prototype
Core PMS architecture and marketplace engine built from scratch. Prototype deployed.
Phase 1
Hotels & Retail Pilots
Active onboarding of anchor nodes. Deploying QR concierges, squashing bugs, and securing localized feedback loops.
Phase 2
Restro & Activities
Payment gateways live. Aggressive expansion. Targeting 50+ onboardings to finalize the cross-selling network map.
Phase 3
Commercial Launch
High-stress network testing, ensuring stable referral commissions across the 50+ established nodes.
High Scale
Regional Expansion
Replicating the playbook across Uttarakhand, J&K, and the wider North Himalayan tourist corridor.
The Catalyst Ask
HimLocal is built, deployed for testing, and ready to scale. We seek IIT Mandi Catalyst's backing to accelerate field onboarding and secure corporate structuring.
NIDHI-EIR Request
Stipend support for the critical pilot phase.
- ▪ Operational Mobility: Field budget (Petrol/Travel) to personally door-to-door onboard properties in the Mandi-Kullu belt.
- ▪ Tech Subsistence: Covers AWS cloud hosting and ensures 100% founder focus on development and squashing bugs without income distraction.
Strategic Support
Beyond capital, Catalyst provides the necessary institutional gravity.
- ▪ Compliance: Legal guidance for Private Limited conversion and GST structuring.
- ▪ Credibility: Utilizing the IIT Mandi brand to unlock regional tourism association partnerships.
- ▪ Talent & Network: Access to student talent for technical internships and introductions to district administration.