People have needs and that’s fine. The graph above is a breakdown of the market share of Apps that allow users to chat over video with random strangers. Much of it is people using the platform as a way to talk to the opposite sex.
We try to skirt around the issue and get squeamish every time we have to talk about adult relationships and dating. So we’re left with a country full of frustrated people, looking for any outlet and getting married to the first person their parents find to be an acceptable match for them.
It took a US based company to let Indians know that dating is fine. We waited till it got enough traction before we were willing to fund any dating company based in India. I personally find the economics of the dating business very debatable (if they exist at all) but that’s not what we’re here to talk about.
There are a few things worth thinking about here:
- What is taboo? Whose rules are we really following here? If user demand is anything to go by — they have ZERO qualms with apps that cater to their baser instincts. And to be honest these Apps don’t really do anything that creepy — it’s just people talking to random strangers over video. And that’s fine.
- Smartphones offer a bypass to culture. What do I mean? Let’s say you’re a teenager in Rohtak and you want to talk to the opposite sex or even get up to speed on the latest fashion trends. If not to wear then out of curiosity. How do you do that? In a country where jeans justify rape, smartphones give people a respite from the shackles that society imposes.
30 years ago if you were selling weed in Colorado — you’d be called a drug dealer and get arrested. These days you’re an entrepreneur (and probably a very successful one).
This is a theme you can bet on. I’m not saying you should sell weed or start an adult chat company. I’m saying you need to question your preconceived notions about what people will and will not do. You need to be willing to push the envelope because the next wave of disruption and the next opportunity won’t wait for permission.
The Cultural Revolution in India will happen via the smartphone. In fact, it’s already started. We ought to sit up and take notice.
Thanks for your time,
Ashish
- Team KG
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You can reach me on ashish@kalagato.com
