Bertelsmann Leads an Investment in Rural India's Social Commerce Revolution

At Bertelsmann India Investments, we're driven by a vision - to back ventures that bridge the digital divide and empower communities. Rozana.in, a pioneering social commerce platform catering to rural India, perfectly embodies this vision. That's why we're proud to announce our lead role in a $22.5 million investment in Rozana, fueling their mission to transform rural lives.

The Untapped Potential of Rural India: Daily Needs, Limited Access

India's rural areas comprise more than 647,000 villages and 215 crores (2.15 billion) households, making up an enormous and untapped market. However, accessing essential goods in these areas can be difficult.?

Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have limited product selection and inconvenient locations, while e-commerce giants, who typically focus on urban areas, find it challenging to deal with the complexities of rural supply chains.?

Consequently, millions of people are struggling to meet their daily needs. India has 760 districts, with 400 million rural internet users who spend $1 trillion on rural consumption. The rural market is enormous, and its potential is staggering.?

Rozana: Solving the Last-Mile Challenge with Social Commerce

Rozana is a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform that leverages social networks and a deep understanding of rural communities. Here's what sets them apart:

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• Focus on Daily Essentials: Rozana offers a curated selection of over 5,000 essential, aspirational, and high-quality products catering to everyday needs.
• Next-Day Delivery: Rozana boasts a robust supply chain that ensures next-day delivery within villages, a significant advantage over traditional methods.
• Empowering Local Communities: Rozana's secret lies in its network of over 13,000 peer partners, primarily women, who act as last-mile connectors. These local entrepreneurs leverage the Rozana app to aggregate orders from their communities and ensure timely deliveries. This bridges the physical distance, and fosters trust and a sense of community.

Furthermore, Rozana's deep understanding of the rural market allows them to curate a product selection that caters to the specific needs and aspirations of their customer base.

Beyond E-commerce: Building a Digital Ecosystem for Rural India

Rozana's impact transcends immediate needs. It's building a digital ecosystem that empowers rural India at multiple levels:

• Bridging the Digital Divide: Rozana introduces rural communities to the convenience and possibilities of online commerce. This paves the way for further digital adoption and opens doors to a wider range of services.
• Financial Inclusion: With over 90% of their peer partners being women, Rozana empowers them financially. This not only creates economic opportunities but also promotes gender equality within villages.
• Entrepreneurship for All: Rozana envisions incubating over 10 million tech micro-entrepreneurs in India. Their model fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship, allowing individuals to leverage technology and build their own businesses.

Aligning with Bertelsmann India Investments' Mission

At Bertelsmann India Investments, we believe Rozana embodies the core principles we seek in our partnerships. Their commitment to bridging the digital divide, empowering rural communities, and promoting social change aligns perfectly with our mission.

Here's why we believe in their mission:

• Sustainable & Scalable Model: Rozana's P2P model creates a win-win situation. Consumers get convenient access to essential products, local entrepreneurs build businesses, and rural communities benefit from increased financial inclusion. This creates a sustainable ecosystem with a high potential for rapid scaling.
• Building a Socially Responsible Business: Rozana empowers rural women, fosters entrepreneurship, and bridges the digital divide. These are cornerstones of social change, and we're proud to support a company that prioritises these aspects.
• A Team with Deep Market Understanding: The Rozana team comes with a strong understanding of rural India and its unique challenges. Their experience and vision are crucial for scaling the business and making a significant impact.

Rozana's efficient business model, which leverages technology and local networks, positions them for sustainable growth.? We are confident their innovative approach will redefine e-commerce for rural India and unlock the true potential of this vast market.

Looking Ahead: Empowering a Billion Rural Consumers

Rural India deserves access to the convenience and opportunities that technology offers. Rozana is at the forefront of this revolution, and we're excited to be a part of their journey. Together, we aim to empower over a billion rural consumers and bridge the gap between urban and rural India. This is not just about e-commerce—it's about unlocking a nation's potential and creating lasting social change.