Exclusive: Blinkit set to launch Urban Company-like services, Deepinder Goyal resigns from UC’s board

Zomato-owned Blinkit has been exploring other money making avenues for quite some time. And, the company is launching handymen services on its platform soon, according to two sources aware of the details of the internal discussions.

“Blinkit is set to offer handyman services such as plumbing, electrician, beautician and air conditioner repairing etc on its platform in coming weeks,” said one of the sources on condition of anonymity as talks are private.

The move will put Blinkit in direct competition with Tiger Global-backed Urban Company. It’s worth noting that Zomato’s co-founder and chief executive officer Deepinder Goyal was appointed as an independent director on Urban Company’s board in March 2022. However, Goyal resigned from the board on February 15, as per details sourced through the RoC.

According to sources, Goyal’s resignation from Urban Company’s board of directors is directly linked to Blinkit’s plan to enter Urban Company’s territory of home services. 

“Goyal resigned as the new vertical will compete with UC and there would be a direct conflict of interest,” said the above quoted person.

Blinkit has set up a new team of existing group’s employees as well as hired workforce from other companies to launch this new vertical, added sources. “It will try to ensure these services within 10-15 minutes similar to its core grocery play,” said the second source who also wished not to be identified.

Queries sent to Urban Company, Goyal and Blinkit didn’t elicit any immediate response. We will update the story if they respond.

Zomato adding grocery and now home services to its offerings indicates its intention to emulate China’s Meituan, which is an investor in competitor Swiggy. Started as food delivery, Meituan evolved into a wider platform over the years for entertainment, dining, grocery and travel — something that even Swiggy has been aiming to do.