V.S.S. Mani
| VSS Mani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO of Justdial |
| Known for | Founder of Justdial |
VSS Mani is a pioneering Indian entrepreneur and the founder of Justdial, one of India’s most recognized digital local search platforms. With a career rooted in resilience and innovation, he has played a transformative role in digitizing how millions of Indians discover and engage with local businesses.[1]
Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings
VSS Mani began his entrepreneurial journey in the 1980s with a venture called AskMe, a local business search service. Although the initiative failed due to operational hurdles, it became the foundation for his future vision. Mani took the lessons from this early setback to refine his approach and build a scalable, tech-driven business.[2]
Founding Justdial
In 1996, Mani launched Justdial as a telephone-based local search engine, offering quick access to information about businesses through a simple phone call. Customers could dial a dedicated number to get contact details and services for anything from restaurants to plumbers. The service rapidly gained popularity due to its utility and simplicity.
Digital Transition and Platform Growth
As internet adoption surged in India, Mani pivoted Justdial to the digital age:
- Launched the Justdial website in 2007
- Introduced a mobile app, enhancing accessibility
- Integrated features like voice search and AI-powered recommendations
These innovations turned Justdial into a leading online directory and service booking platform across India.[3]
Key Milestones and Expansion
Under VSS Mani’s leadership, Justdial achieved several major milestones:
- Expanded operations across thousands of Indian cities and towns
- Reached millions of listings for local businesses and services
- Launched JD Omni, a cloud-based solution for SME management
- Introduced JD Pay, a digital payment system
- Successfully listed on the Indian stock exchange in 2013[4]
Acquisition by Reliance Retail
In 2021, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. acquired a majority stake in Justdial, signaling a major shift in the company’s growth trajectory. The acquisition provided Justdial with the financial and strategic support to enhance its technological capabilities and expand deeper into the hyperlocal commerce domain.
Challenges and Competitive Landscape
Throughout its journey, Justdial faced stiff competition from global players like Google and homegrown platforms such as IndiaMART and Zomato. VSS Mani stayed ahead by:
- Focusing on localized, verified search services
- Expanding into B2B services
- Leveraging AI and data analytics for smarter search results[5]
Legacy and Future Vision
VSS Mani’s vision has significantly contributed to the digitalization of India’s local economy. With millions of users and an ever-expanding database of service providers, Justdial remains a cornerstone in India’s internet services ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Mani continues to invest in:
- AI-driven search personalization
- Hyperlocal service aggregation
- Deepening integration with Reliance’s retail network
Conclusion
VSS Mani stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and adaptability. From a failed startup to building India’s largest local search platform, his entrepreneurial journey has reshaped the way Indians find and access services. With ongoing innovation and strong leadership, he continues to influence India’s digital commerce ecosystem.
References
- ↑ https://www.thearcweb.com/article/reliance-just-dial-mukesh-ambani-vss-mani-XGZiTuZAoAtZBxSS
- ↑ https://www.livemint.com/Companies/tDrombRRkpmPiIQZAkVlJI/The-learnings-of-Just-Dials-VSS-Mani.html
- ↑ https://marksmendaily.com/business/from-dropout-to-dynamo-vss-manis-triumph-with-justdial/
- ↑ https://www.deccanherald.com/business/vss-mani-shares-how-indian-google-just-dial-journey-started-1009628.html
- ↑ https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/rrvl-to-pick-majority-stake-in-just-dial-heres-how-vss-mani-built-the-indian-google-7184901.html