Articles by Jyoti Banthia

Technology

After groceries, quick commerce targets household chores

After transforming grocery and food delivery, quick commerce is now sweeping into households. Start-ups such as Snabbit, Pronto, Broomees, and Urban Company’s new Insta Help are racing to deliver verified domestic help, cleaners, and cooks within minutes — addressing one of urban India’s most common pain points. For Mumbai-based marketing executive Anjali, the appeal lies in convenience and reliability. “I frequently use Snabbit services for cleaning because it’s formal and hassle-free compared to searching for a professional each time,” she said. The urban demand for convenience is shaping a market that’s fast expanding. India’s home services sector is projected to grow from $5 billion in 2023 to $21 billion by 2032, according to Zion Market Research. “There was no digitised offering or convenient solution in this space,” said Aayush Agarwal, Founder and CEO, Snabbit. “Everyone had the pain point, everyone had the real need, but still, this industry was operating the same way for decades. Zero disruption in a category that affects people’s everyday lives equals a big opportunity.” Founded by the former Zepto executive, Snabbit raised $5.5 million from Elevation Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and others. The company operates in eight micro-markets — six in Mumbai and two in Bengaluru — and plans to expand to 100 by the end of the year. “Quick is a feature for us, not a differentiator,” Agarwal said. “You can pre-book someone a day before or book them in minutes. We genuinely understand there are use cases where you need urgent help, and we want to solve for that.” Full-stack approach Snabbit follows a full-stack approach — sourcing, screening, training and managing service professionals in-house rather than acting as a marketplace. “We don’t use the words maids or gig workers. We’re creating a platform where demand meets supply with dignity and stability,” Agarwal said. “Our experts are assured a stable income every month. We incentivise good behaviour, punctuality and service quality.” The company also provides insurance and financial access benefits like credit and salary advances to its workers. Meanwhile, competitors are rapidly entering the space. Pronto has secured $2 million, Broomees raised $1.1 million after its appearance on Shark Tank India, and Urban Company has rolled out Insta Help for quicker service turnaround. With younger consumers driving demand, aided by higher disposable incomes and comfort with tech-driven solutions, the category is seeing rapid adoption. The main value hook is speed: users can book and call verified domestic helpers home within 10–15 minutes. “Initially, people said: who needs groceries in 10 minutes? Turns out, everyone does. It’ll be the same for house help,” Agarwal said. “We’re not replacing anyone. Your maid takes four days off a month — we step in for those days. We’re providing convenience that Indian consumers have never experienced before.” As the model gains traction, quick commerce may have just found its next billion-dollar opportunity — not in groceries or gadgets, but in everyday household chores. Published on October 7, 2025