Lanka’s top digital brands Kapruka and Grasshoppers featured at UN event
View(s):UNCTAD recently hosted the 2018 edition of its UN E-commerce Week, bringing together the global e-biz community to discuss the future of e-com in developing nations and what it takes to unlock these countries’ untapped potential.
Dulith Herath (3rd from right) speaking at the event
Among the prestigious line-up of speakers was Dulith Herath, founder of Kapruka and Grasshoppers, who in his presentation pointed out that increased access to and activity on social networks and consistent improvements in terms of mobile Internet access are fostering greater opportunities in electronic commerce operations in developing nations like Sri Lanka.
But, what really revolutionised the game is the innovation in delivery possibilities. “The last mile delivery in LDCs (Least Developed Countries) is often a problem that large couriers or post offices can’t handle. I co-founded grasshoppers to specifically address this. Cash on delivery being the no#1 preferred payment option on LDC e-commerce, I strongly advise and thrive to improve the last mile delivery in LDCs as it’s a key we need to unlock e-commerce potential in these countries,” Mr. Herath said, explaining how ‘Grasshoppers’ has revolutionised how Sri Lankans handled door-to-door delivery from online shopping and even selling, according to a media release issued by Mr. Herath’s team.
Grasshoppers Pvt Ltd is a successful homegrown brand that managed to evolve into a leader in the local logistics services sector within a short span of time. It specialises in online shopping related deliveries, and was founded on the principles of the sharing economy amalgamated with the clever use of digital technology. Its co-founders Dulith Herath (the innovator behind Sri Lanka’s pioneering e-commerce player Kapruka.com) and Dr. Harsha Liyanage (creator of Sarvodaya Fusion promoting IT education across Sri Lanka), were looking to establish a business that leverages on the obvious need for a local end-to-end delivery handler that works seamlessly with online buying platforms, and in the process, plays a pivotal role in democratising e-commerce in Sri Lanka.
Grasshoppers went on to earn the support of the renowned Aavishkaar Frontier Fund and was handpicked by UN’s E-commerce Week as an exemplary start-up.
Grasshoppers’ unique standing as a turnkey solutions provider for last mile delivery in a developing country, its methods and practices were recognised as unusual and uniquely suited to emerging markets like those in South Asia.
While speaking to the audience at UNCTAD’s e-commerce week, Mr. Herath stressed that when developing countries do get on board the digital revolution, it is important that the right people benefit from the change, which he attempts to do with Grasshoppers as an operation that benefits people from a wide spectrum of economic and social brackets.