A recent report by IMAI (Internet & Mobile Association of India) pegs Indian internet users at 120 million mark. It is interesting to note that a large part of these users are single and below the age of 30. Today, these youngsters consider internet culturally, a good way to find a potential life partner, thanks to its omnipresent nature that is touching lives in myriad ways- throwing windows open for closer social and personal interactions.
Considering, the fast adoption of internet by the masses for forging long lasting relationships, more and more enterprises have immense opportunities to establish a structured platform for people to meet and foster meaningful friendships and emotional bonds. Reckoning this fact, Directi – a leading global web products company, has announced ‘Case study competition 2012’ for B-school students, inviting over 420 entries from 20 colleges countrywide, therefore, fostering the ‘spirit of entrepreneurship’ and a culture of product development in India.
This year, the contest invited students to research, plan, debate, create and market the business potential of an ‘Online dating service website.’ Since digital networking is the most widely and fastest growing phenomenon in India, media reports suggests that India accounts to 15 million users of online dating services. With a bulk of online users, coming from metros and tier 2 cities, with people accessing internet not only through computers but mobile phones, a whole new variable has opened up for online dating services.
Directi urged students to build a compelling business case for online dating website which included In-depth market research, Product prototypes for their offering, a 360 degree marketing plan to promote this product & tangible ways in which they would monetise this product. Students came back with fantastic, well researched and comprehensive decks detailing out their ideas for this concept. One of the popular presentations from IIM- Ahmedabad revolved around localising search to our immediate vicinity to find our perfect mate! Another exciting presentation came from ISB Hyderabad, which built their proposition based on interactivity of their members.
The finals of the events scheduled for January 05, 2012 will be held at Directiplex in Andheri. The eminent jury panel consists of Anupam Mittal – Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of shaadi.com, Bhavin Turakhia- CEO and Founder of Directi and Shashank Mehrotra- Director of Strategic Partnerships- Directi and will evaluate students based on originality, creativity and content. The winners will be awarded with cash prises of over Rs. 3, 00,000.
