Urban Company

UrbanClap was founded in October 2014 by Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Varun Khaitan, and Raghav Chandra, all of whom had substantial experience living in the United States. Khaitan's background includes engineering roles at Qualcomm and a consultancy position at Boston Consulting Group, where Bhal was also employed. Chandra brought experience from his engineering role at Twitter (now X). The company was established with the objective of addressing the fragmented home services market, with an initial emphasis on delivering reliable and convenient beauty services in the home environment.

In 2016, it acquired GoodService, a hyperlocal concierge app to enhance chat-based bookings{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Durba |title=UrbanClap acquires hyperlocal app GoodService |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/urbanclap-acquires-hyperlocal-app-goodservice-116081101153_1.html |publisher=Business Standard |date=August 11, 2016}} and HandyHome, a home appliance repair company to strengthen appliance repair and OEM partnerships.{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=John |last2=Mishra |first2=Digbijay |title=UrbanClap acquires after sales service provider HandyHome |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech-news/urbanclap-acquires-after-sales-service-provider-handyhome/articleshow/50675972.cms |work=The Times of India |date=22 January 2016}}

In January 2020, the company rebranded from UrbanClap to Urban Company, aiming to become a comprehensive platform offering a variety of services and expanding into international markets.{{Cite news |date=2020-01-30 |title=UrbanClap rebrands itself as Urban Company |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/urbanclap-rebrands-itself-as-urban-company/articleshow/73767776.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} Following this rebrand, Urban Company extended its services to Australia, Singapore, and the UAE.{{Cite news |last=Agarwal |first=Nikhil |date=30 January 2020 |title=UrbanClap renamed Urban Company as the startup expands to international markets |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/urbanclap-renamed-urban-company-as-the-startup-expands-to-international-markets-11580369967591.html |work=Livemint}} In 2021, Urban Company became a unicorn after raising $188 million in a funding round led by Prosus.{{cite news |last1=Shriram |first1=M. |title=Urban Company is India's 12th unicorn of 2021 after a $188-million funding round |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/urban-company-is-indias-12th-unicorn-of-2021-after-a-188-million-funding-round-6821831.html |publisher=Moneycontrol |date=April 27, 2021}}

In December 2022, Urban Company signed an agreement with the National Skill Development Corporation to train and certify unskilled workers across various service categories.{{cite news |last=Anand |first=Saurav |date=2022-12-20 |title=Urban Company partners NSDC to train service professionals |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/urban-company-partners-nsdc-to-train-service-professionals-11671595278044.html |work=Mint |publisher=HT Media}}

By 2023, the company had launched operations in the United States, servicing New York City, Dallas, and Austin in Texas.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=OfficeChai |date=2023-06-14 |title=India's Urban Company Launches Operations In The USA, Offers Home Cleaning Services |url=https://officechai.com/startups/indias-urban-company-launches-operations-in-the-usa-offers-home-cleaning-services/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=OfficeChai |language=en-US}} In late 2023, Urban Company ventured into the branded products segment with the launch of smart RO water purifiers under its 'Native' sub-brand.{{cite web |last=Anand |first=Aishwarya |title=Urban Company forays into branded products segment with smart RO water purifiers |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/startup/urban-company-forays-into-branded-products-segment-with-smart-ro-water-purifiers-18020571.htm |website=CNBC TV18 |date=11 October 2023}}

In April 2024, Urban Company partnered with Saudi Manpower Solutions Company to launch Waed Khadmat Al-Munzal for Marketing Co., a joint venture to provide home services in Saudi Arabia.{{cite news|last=Upadhyaya |first=Ananya |title=Urban Company Forms JV To Fuel Saudi's Home Service Business |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/urban-company-forms-jv-to-fuel-saudis-home-service-business/ |publisher=Inc42 |date=16 October 2024}}

In March 2025, Urban Company launched Insta Maids (later rebranded to Insta Help{{cite news |last1=Subramaniam |first1=Nikhil |title=Urban Company Joins The Rush Hour |url=https://inc42.com/features/urban-company-insta-help-quick-commerce-revenue/ |publisher=Inc42 |date=March 23, 2025}}), a quick e-commerce service offering on-demand domestic help within 15 minutes in select areas of Mumbai. The service initially covered tasks such as cleaning, cooking preparation, and mopping.{{cite news |last1=Das Sharma |first1=Swastika |title=Urban Company launches 15-minute 'Insta Maids': Price, cities, offers; 'expected better', say netizens |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/urban-company-launches-15-minute-insta-maids-price-cities-offers-expected-better-say-netizens-11742022292744.html |publisher=Livemint |date=March 15, 2025}}

The company secured seed funding of $1 million in January 2015 from investors including Accel Partners and SAIF Partners. The startup then raised a Series A investment of $10 million from investors SAIF Partners and Accel Partners, which it used to grow across the entire country.{{Cite web |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=2015-06-29 |title=Local Services Marketplace UrbanClap Gets $10M Series A To Expand Throughout India |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/urbanclap-seriesa/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} The company also received an undisclosed amount of funding from Ratan Tata in December 2015.{{cite news |title=Ratan Tata invests in services marketplace UrbanClap |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/ratan-tata-invests-in-services-marketplace-urbanclap-55009-2015-12-11 |work=Business Today |date=11 December 2015}}

It then raised $25 million in a Series B round that was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from returning investors SAIF and Accel Partners.{{Cite web |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=2015-11-19 |title=UrbanClap, India's Largest Services Marketplace, Fetches $25 Million Series B |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/19/urbanclap-seriesb/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

In 2018, the company raised $50 million in a Series D round led by Steadview Capital and existing investor Vy Capital.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=2018-11-30 |title=UrbanClap, India's largest home services startup, raises $50M |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/30/urbanclap-50-million/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

In a Series E round led by Tiger Global, the company raised $75 million to expand its business. Existing investors Steadview Capital and Vy Capital also participated in the round.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Manish |date=2019-08-02 |title=UrbanClap, India's largest home services startup, raises $75M |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/01/urbanclap-indias-largest-home-services-startup-raises-75m/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

In June 2021, Urban Company raised {{USD}}255 million in a Series F funding round led by new investors Prosus Ventures, Dragoneer, and Wellington Management, with participation from existing investors Vy Capital, Tiger Global, and Steadview Capital, at a valuation of $2.1 billion.{{Cite web |title=Urban Company Raises USD 255 Million In Series F Funding |url=https://www.urbancompany.com/blog/urban-company-raises-usd-255-million-in-series-f-funding |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Urban Company |language=en}}

In July 2024, Urban Company secured $50 million in funding from Dharana Capital through a secondary transaction, in which Dharana Capital purchased shares from employees and other shareholders.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-07-18 |title=Urban Company secures $50 mn funding from Dharana Capital |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/urban-company-secures-50-mn-funding-from-dharana-capital/article68416940.ece |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Business Line |language=en}}

In the financial year 2023–24, Urban Company reported revenue of ₹827 crore, a year-on-year increase of nearly 30%. The loss before tax decreased to ₹93 crore from ₹312 crore in the previous year. In the first quarter of FY25, the company reported consolidated revenue of ₹281 crore, a 37.3% increase from the same period the previous year, with a profit before tax of ₹12 crore.{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Sneha |last2=Raghavan |first2=Ranjani |title=Urban Company hires banks for IPO, likely to file by March-end |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/urban-company-ipo-goldman-sachs-morgan-stanley-kotak-mahindra-capital-home-services-kunal-bahl-rohit-bansal-11736768375693.html |publisher=Livemint |date=January 14, 2025}}

In June 2023, a report revealed that beauticians associated with Urban Company are required to pay for training before they can begin working on the platform.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=Urban Company punishes workers for user cancellations, blocks worker ID over poor rating |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/in-focus/story/urban-company-punishes-workers-for-user-cancellations-blocks-worker-id-over-poor-rating-385830-2023-06-15 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Business Today |language=en}} Several gig workers told that Urban Company is blocking their IDs (both temporarily and permanently) due to issues such as booking cancellations, taking off from work for two to three days, and a fall in user rating.{{Cite web |last=Sil |first=Debarghya |date=2023-06-12 |title=Exclusive: Troubles Erupt For Urban Company As Beauticians Protest ID Bans |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/exclusive-troubles-erupt-for-urban-company-as-beauticians-protest-id-bans/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}} The company's spokesperson responded saying, "We continue to maintain an open-door policy and encourage dialogue with our partners. We remain committed to building a safe high-quality home service platform."{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=15 June 2023 |title='Minimum 4.7/5 rating required': Urban Company partners protest ID blocking |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/urban-company-workers-protest-partners-debarred-from-app-low-rating-cancellation-issues-gig-workers-problem-101686826375579.html |work=Hindustan Times}}

In June 2024, Urban Company's beauty segment workers stage demonstration in Bengaluru over ID blocking.{{Cite news |date=10 June 2024 |title=Urban Company's beauty segment workers stage demonstration in Bengaluru over ID blocking |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/urban-companys-beauty-segment-workers-stage-demonstration-in-bengaluru-over-id-blocking-article-12745241.html |work=Moneycontrol}} Partners and gig workers associated with the platform have had issues with the 'auto assign' features, ID blocking and costly grievance remedy.{{Cite web |title=Protesting Partners In Bangalore Upset From Urban Company |url=https://bwpeople.in/article/protesting-partners-in-bangalore-upset-from-urban-company-522996 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=BW People |language=en}} The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU) said that the protest was against the new work conditions, which are horrific and have forced "thousands of partners to work under slavery like situations."{{Cite web |last=Pushkarna |first=Akshit |date=2024-06-10 |title=Women Gig Workers Protest At Urban Company's Bengaluru Office Over New Work Policy |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/women-gig-workers-protest-at-urban-companys-bengaluru-office-over-new-work-policy/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}} Abhiraj Singh Bhal has stood by the rating policy, mentioning that service partners typically have an average rating of about 4.83. He noted that while this may appear elevated, many customers tend to give a full 5 stars. He also commented that "local politicians and unions often exploit these disagreements to exert pressure on the company."{{Cite news |last=Sood |first=Naina |date=27 June 2024 |title=Urban Company CEO Abhiraj Bhal defends policies amid gig worker protests |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/local-politicians-try-to-gain-mileage-from-gig-worker-protests-urban-company-ceo-abhiraj-bahl-article-12757561.html |work=Moneycontrol}}

According to the Fairwork India 2024 report, Urban Company and BigBasket are the only two gig-economy companies with a minimum wage policy.{{Cite web |title=Gig workers face exploitation, only Urban Company, bigbasket ensure minimum wage: Report |url=https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/gig-workers-face-exploitation-only-urban-company-bigbasket-ensure-minimum-wage-report-44450.htm |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=www.storyboard18.com |language=en}} As per a 2024 report by Al Jazeera, the company has been credited with creating large-scale employment opportunities for women in India's gig economy.{{cite news |author1=Ananya |title=India's Urban Company revolutionised gig work for women. Then it bled them |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/3/1/how-indias-urban-company-has-soured-gig-work-for-women |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=March 1, 2024}}

In January 2025, Urban Company filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against Kent RO Systems, stating that its Native-branded water purifiers were delisted from Amazon and Flipkart following patent infringement complaints by Kent. The company argued that this removal, which occurred without a court injunction, led to business losses and reputational impact during a peak sales period.{{cite news |last=Thyagarajan |first=S N |title=Urban Company sues Kent in Delhi High Court over product delisting from e-commerce sites |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/urban-company-sues-kent-delhi-high-court-product-delisting-from-e-commerce-sites |work=Bar & Bench |date=January 14, 2025}}

In March 2025, when the company launched a quick service offering for domestic help under the name "Insta Maids", labour rights groups and social media users raised concerns that the name undermined the dignity of domestic workers. The company subsequently rebranded the service to "Insta Help".{{cite news |last1=Sultana |first1=Tamreen |title=TGPWU slams Urban Company's 15 minute maid service as 'exploitation' |url=https://www.siasat.com/tgpwu-slams-urban-companys-15-minute-maid-service-as-exploitation-3195523/ |publisher=Siasat |date=March 16, 2025}}

In February 2024, Urban Company launched Project Nidar, a corporate social responsibility initiative that provides support services such as counseling, legal aid, emergency lodging, and financial assistance to service partners affected by domestic violence, in collaboration with NGOs.{{cite news |title=Urban Company launches 'Project Nidar' to safeguard service partners from domestic violence and abuse |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/urban-company-launches-project-nidar-to-safeguard-service-partners-from-domestic-violence-and-abuse-416911-2024-02-09 |publisher=Business Today |date=February 9, 2024}} As part of this initiative, the company developed a formal policy against gender-based violence and partnered with the Invisible Scars Foundation to offer assistance to those in need.{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Liffy |title=Domestic violence as a workplace issue |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/domestic-violence-as-a-workplace-issue/article67943553.ece |work=The Hindu |date=March 13, 2024}}

In November 2024, the company partnered with NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform to launch a pilot program supporting women entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellness sector. The initiative provided training in skill development, legal compliance, finance, and business operations, with 25 participants selected from the Delhi NCR region.{{cite news |title=Women Entrepreneurship Platform Partners with Urban Company to Empower Women Salon and Beauty Parlor Owners |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2073622 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=November 15, 2024}}

In March 2019, the company was awarded the Most Innovative Start-up of the Year by The Economic Times.{{cite news |title=Innovation awards—Ease of doing it better, adding Value |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=18 March 2019 |page=9}} Urban Company was named the Young Turks Startup of the Year at CNBC-TV18's India Business Leadership Awards in March 2021.{{cite web |title=UrbanCompany, 1mg Bag Young Turks Award; Zerodha, Swiggy Judged Biggest Disruptors – IBLA 2021 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/business/urbancompany-1mg-bag-young-turks-award-zerodha-swiggy-judged-biggest-disruptors-ibla-2021-3552656.html |website=News18 |date=19 March 2021}} In September 2021, the company received the ET Startup Award in the Covid-led Business Transformation category from The Economic Times.{{cite web |title=ET Startup Awards 2021: Urban Company wins Covid-led Business Transformation award |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/et-startup-awards-2021-urban-company-wins-covid-led-business-transformation-award/articleshow/86539002.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=26 September 2021}} Urban Company was named by the Financial Times as one of Asia-Pacific's fastest-growing businesses in its High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025 list.{{cite news |title=FT ranking: High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/98982fa6-e6cc-4e3d-85b6-fce9adc50252 |publisher=Financial Times |date=March 18, 2025}}

{{reflist}}

Category:Companies of India

Category:Companies based in Gurgaon

Category:2014 establishments in Haryana

Category:Employment websites in India

Category:Freelance marketplace websites

Category:Online marketplaces of India

Category:Internet properties established in 2014

Category:Business services companies established in 2014