Biography of Debadutta Upadhyaya: Founder & EX CEO of Timesaverz- Entrepreneur
Story of Debadutta Upadhyaya: An Unyielding Innovator
Debadutta Upadhyaya is known for her persistence and
problem-solving skills. No matter the challenge, she always finds a way to
overcome it. She founded Timesaverz, an online platform designed to help people
with handyman issues. Timesaverz is particularly useful for homemakers needing
assistance with household repairs.
A New Beginning in Rourkela
Debadutta Upadhyaya: From Rourkela to Entrepreneurship
Debadutta Upadhyaya was born in Rourkela, Odisha, to a father
who was an HR specialist and a mother who was an educationist. She spent her
early years there until the family moved to Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, in the late
nineties. After finishing her graduation, Debadutta moved to Nagpur to start
her professional career. Following her marriage and while studying journalism,
she developed a career in media sales, working with prominent firms like Times
of India, Yahoo! India, and Vadopia Inc.
From Rourkela to the Top
Debadutta hails from Rourkela, Odisha, and holds an MBA from
IIM Calcutta. Before launching Timesaverz, she gained experience working at
Yahoo India.
Early Career
Debadutta’s career began at Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.,
where she worked from April 1996 to October 2004, progressing from Assistant
Manager to Deputy Manager. Her early roles helped shape her strategic and
leadership skills, setting the stage for her future entrepreneurial successes.
Previous Achievements
Before her entrepreneurial ventures, Debadutta held
prominent roles in various companies. She was the Vice President (APAC) at
Vdopia Inc. from July 2011 to July 2012 and served as the Vice President -
India at the same company from February 2010 to June 2011. Her earlier career
includes leading sales strategies at Yahoo! India and contributing
significantly to sales and marketing roles at companies such as Bennett,
Coleman & Co. Ltd. (Times Group) and other prominent firms.
Biography of Debadutta Upadhyaya: Founder & EX CEO of Timesaverz- Entrepreneur /Investor/Startup/Success story of Debadutta Upadhyaya/Timesaverz story
A Shared Vision
TimeSavers: From Corporate Jobs to Startup Success
At Vadopia Inc., Debadutta worked alongside Lavnish Bhatia,
who would later become her co-founder at TimeSavers. Both shared a vision of a
lucrative opportunity in the on-demand home services market. Driven by this
vision, they decided to leave their stable corporate jobs to dive into
entrepreneurship. With a combined 30 years of experience in advertising and
media, Debadutta and Lavnish launched TimeSavers in July 2012, officially
starting operations in April 2013. The platform aimed to help people manage
their household chores more effectively.
Building and Growing TimeSavers
Overcoming Challenges and Securing Funding
TimeSavers received backing from notable investors such as
Neville Taraporevala, Rajesh Sawhney, Ashish Jhalani, and Nitesh Kriplani. In
2015, the company successfully raised $2.3 million in funding from Unilazer
Ventures. Despite its growth, TimeSavers faced significant challenges, such as
maintaining efficient service standards and competing in a highly competitive
market. The company had to focus on refining their unit economics and build a
dedicated team while navigating the aggressive advertising landscape from
competitors.
Timesaverz: A Solution for Busy Lives
Timesaverz, founded by Debadutta Upadhyaya, is a convenient
platform for cleaning and other home services. It especially helps working
women save time. The idea for Timesaverz came from Debadutta’s own experience
when she needed a plumber quickly to fix a bathroom leak. This highlights how
recognizing a need can set the foundation for a successful business.
Comprehensive Service Offering
Timesaverz isn’t just about cleaning; it offers a wide range
of services across six categories: cleaning, beauty, laundry, repairs, pest
control, and handymen. This broad range covers about 70% of the typical home
service needs in Indian households. The promise of timely and quality service
makes Timesaverz popular among busy professionals, elderly couples, and single
individuals. There’s also a growing trend of working women using such services
to free up time for themselves by outsourcing routine tasks.
Success in the Home Services Sector
Under her leadership, Timesaverz achieved notable success.
The company, an online marketplace for home services, attracted significant
investments, including $1 million from Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd (BCCL) and
$2.3 million in Series A funding from Ronnie Screwvala. These investments
underscore the impact and potential of the company in the home services
industry.
Equality in Entrepreneurship
When asked by Feministaa about facing discrimination,
Debadutta Upadhyaya shared that she hasn’t encountered any. She believes that
entrepreneurship is a journey that treats men and women equally. However, she
acknowledges that women often benefit from having a very supportive family.
Choosing Your Path
Debadutta believes that life is shaped by the choices we
make. According to her, whether things are easy or difficult depends on the
choices we select.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Debadutta Upadhyay is a seasoned entrepreneur with a dynamic
career. She is currently the Managing Partner at Climatora, a role she has held
since January 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She also serves as a Mentor of
Change for the Atal Innovation Mission since March 2020. Additionally,
Debadutta is the Founder Director of Digisance, a position she has held since
July 2019. Her most recent role was as CEO of Timesaverz, a position she held
for over a decade, from July 2012 to December 2022.
A Legacy of Dedication
Family Values and Personal Support
Debadutta Upadhyaya has always embraced the advice of her
parents, who taught her to "do the best in whatever we endeavor." Her
husband has also been a pillar of support, encouraging her with the belief that
"we should try our best instead of regret to chase our dreams." This
strong family backing gave her the confidence to take on the entrepreneurial
journey with TimeSavers.
Focusing on One Mission
Commitment to TimeSavers and Education
Debadutta’s dedication is evident in her singular focus on
TimeSavers. She has no room for other projects, as her efforts are wholly
invested in this venture. For her, the foundation of success lies in a robust
educational system, and she believes in promoting excellent education for
everyone.
Inspired Action
Motivation to Pursue Your Dreams
Debadutta Upadhyaya’s story with TimeSavers serves as a
powerful example. It’s a reminder to push beyond your comfort zone and pursue
what you are passionate about. Use her journey as motivation to follow your own
path and make choices that align with your true aspirations.
Balancing Work and Life
Many working women face challenges in balancing their
personal and professional lives, often missing out on important moments.
Debadutta Upadhyay acknowledges this struggle but prefers not to view it as a
sacrifice. Instead, she sees it as a phase where the initial effort required to
get things up and running can strain the work-life balance, especially for
those with growing families. Despite the challenges, she has no regrets.
Timeline of Debadutta Upadhyaya’s Journey
Early Life and Education
Early 1970s: Born in Rourkela, Odisha.
Late 1990s: Family relocates to Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.
2000: Completes graduation and moves to Nagpur to start her
professional career.
2004: Earns an MBA from IIM Calcutta.
Career Beginnings
April 1996 – October 2004: Works at Bennett, Coleman &
Co. Ltd., progressing from Assistant Manager to Deputy Manager.
February 2010 – July 2012: Serves as Vice President - India
at Vdopia Inc.
July 2011 – July 2012: Advances to Vice President (APAC) at
Vdopia Inc.
Prior to 2012: Gains experience in media sales at Yahoo!
India and Vadopia Inc.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
July 2012: Co-founds TimeSavers with Lavnish Bhatia,
focusing on on-demand home services.
April 2013: TimeSavers officially starts operations.
Growth and Funding
2015: TimeSavers raises $2.3 million in Series A funding
from Unilazer Ventures.
2015: TimeSavers receives additional investment of $1
million from Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) and $2.3 million in Series
A funding from Ronnie Screwvala.
Recent Roles and Contributions
July 2012 – December 2022: Serves as CEO of TimeSavers.
January 2023 – Present: Becomes Managing Partner at
Climatora in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
March 2020 – Present: Serves as Mentor of Change for the
Atal Innovation Mission.
July 2019 – Present: Holds the position of Founder Director
at Digisance.
Personal Insights and Philosophy
Throughout Career: Advocates for perseverance and making
strategic choices, emphasizing the role of family support in entrepreneurship.
Current Focus: Continues to be dedicated to Climatora,
mentoring, and fostering educational initiatives.
This timeline highlights the key milestones and roles in
Debadutta Upadhyaya’s career and entrepreneurial journey.
