Biography of Naman Sarawagi:Founder of Refrens.com- Entrepreneur & Investor
Naman Sarawagi’s Story
Naman Sarawagi’s journey into the world of technology and
entrepreneurship began with a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer
Science. During his time at university, he was captivated by the transformative
power of technology and its potential to solve real-world challenges. This
foundational knowledge equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the
complexities of the tech landscape. Even in these early days, Naman
demonstrated a keen interest in leveraging technology to create solutions that
would resonate with users and meet market demands.
The Birth of FindYogi: A Market Need Identified
In September 2012, Naman co-founded FindYogi, a price
comparison app aimed at the bustling Indian eCommerce market, particularly in
consumer electronics. Recognizing the overwhelming choices available to online
shoppers, he envisioned a platform that would simplify decision-making by
providing clear comparisons of prices and features across various online
retailers. Through strategic marketing and a user-friendly interface, FindYogi
quickly gained traction, amassing over two million monthly users. This rapid
growth was driven by a clear understanding of consumer behavior and the ability
to address a genuine market need.
A Successful Acquisition: FindYogi's Next Chapter
By May 2016, FindYogi's success story caught the attention
of Way2 News, a major player in the short news app segment in India. This led
to the acquisition of FindYogi, marking a significant milestone in Naman’s
entrepreneurial journey. This acquisition was not only a testament to the
platform's success but also an opportunity for Naman to reflect on the critical
importance of adaptability and innovation in the fast-paced tech world. It
reinforced his belief that understanding market dynamics and user needs is essential
for sustainable growth.
Pioneering in Product Management: ZipDial
Naman’s next venture was with ZipDial, which he joined in December
2010 as a Product Manager. ZipDial offered a groundbreaking service utilizing
missed calls as a means for users to engage with brands—an innovative solution
tailored to the Indian market. Naman played a pivotal role in shaping product
initiatives and spearheading marketing strategies that elevated the platform’s
visibility. His efforts contributed significantly to the company's growth,
leading to its eventual acquisition by Twitter. This experience deepened his
understanding of product management and marketing in a rapidly evolving tech
environment.
Building Freecharge: A Startup’s Growth Story
In November 2009, Naman joined Freecharge.in as the Head of
Product, where he was instrumental in transforming an initial concept into a
thriving platform that gained 100,000 users within a remarkably short
timeframe. His multifaceted role encompassed product development, technology
oversight, and marketing strategy. Naman’s ability to innovate and execute
effectively in a fast-paced startup environment was evident as he navigated the
complexities of scaling a new business. Under his leadership, Freecharge not
only gained traction but also attracted significant investment from Sequoia
Capital, solidifying its position in the market.
Exploring New Horizons: E2E Networks
As Naman continued to build his expertise, he took on the
role of Independent Director at E2E Networks Limited in March 2019. This
position allowed him to contribute strategically to the company while gaining
invaluable insights into the operational challenges faced by tech startups. His
experience at E2E Networks enhanced his understanding of the industry
landscape, providing him with a broader perspective on business growth and the
intricacies of managing technology-driven companies.
Refrens.com: A New Venture in the Freelance Space
In June 2019, Naman embarked on his most ambitious venture
yet: Refrens.com. Drawing from his experiences as a freelancer, he recognized a
significant gap in the market related to invoicing, payments, and client
acquisition. This realization led to the creation of a comprehensive platform
designed specifically for freelancers and agencies. Refrens aimed to streamline
administrative tasks, allowing users to focus more on their creative work. The
platform quickly gained popularity, reflecting Naman’s commitment to solving
real problems faced by freelancers.
Creating a Market Network for SMEs
Refrens.com is not merely a SaaS product; it has evolved
into a robust market network tailored for B2B service providers. The platform
encompasses essential services like accounting, payments, and taxation, which
are crucial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With over 50,000 active
businesses utilizing the platform, accounting for billions in transactions,
Naman’s vision has materialized into a powerful tool that empowers SMEs. This
user-centric approach, emphasizing ease of use and functionality, has
positioned Refrens as a leader in its niche.
Identifying Market Gaps: Insights from Freelancers
Throughout his journey with Refrens.com, Naman’s
understanding of the freelance ecosystem deepened significantly. His prior
experience freelancing provided him with a unique vantage point; he was able to
engage directly with numerous freelancers and agencies, uncovering their common
challenges. This firsthand insight became instrumental in shaping the
development of Refrens’ features and services. Naman’s commitment to listening
to user feedback ensured that the platform evolved in a way that truly met the
needs of its audience.
Finding Funding: Securing Investment for Growth
After a year of dedicated work on Refrens.com, Naman and his
co-founder, Mohit, successfully secured funding from prominent angel investors
in India. This investment was a vital turning point, providing the necessary
resources to scale the platform and enhance its offerings. The support from
well-regarded investors not only validated Naman’s vision but also opened doors
for further development and marketing initiatives, setting a solid foundation
for the company’s future growth.
Organic Growth through SEO and Social Media
To drive organic traffic to Refrens.com, Naman implemented a
dual strategy focusing on SEO and social media marketing. Initially, the
efforts were slow to gain momentum; however, as the team refined their approach,
visibility began to increase significantly. They created targeted landing pages
optimized for high-volume keywords, which allowed Refrens to appear prominently
in search results. This strategy not only attracted new users but also helped
establish the brand’s presence in the competitive freelance marketplace.
Biography of Naman Sarawagi:Founder of Refrens.com- Entrepreneur & Angel Investor/invoicing and payments/Age/Net worth/Refrens.comstory/Naman S
The Magic of SEO: Building Visibility
Naman recognized the importance of backlinks in improving
Refrens.com’s search engine rankings. He reached out to friends and industry
contacts who had blogs and websites, requesting backlinks to boost their domain
authority. This grassroots approach contributed to increasing traffic and
fostered a sense of community among early adopters. As the platform climbed the
search engine rankings, Naman remained focused on continuous optimization,
ensuring that their content remained relevant and engaging.
Addressing Technical Challenges: Optimizing Performance
A significant challenge that arose during Refrens.com’s
development was related to page loading speeds. Naman and his team understood
that a slow-loading site could deter potential users. They undertook a
comprehensive optimization process, which involved rewriting large portions of
their web application to enhance performance. This investment in technical improvements
paid off, as faster load times contributed to better user experiences and
higher retention rates.
Experimenting with Paid Marketing
While organic traffic proved effective, Naman also ventured
into paid marketing channels such as SEM and social media advertising. Although
these efforts didn’t yield the immediate results they hoped for, the experience
provided valuable insights into the dynamics of digital marketing. Naman
learned the importance of aligning marketing strategies with the product’s growth
stage and recognizing that not every channel would be a perfect fit. This
lesson underscored the necessity of flexibility and adaptability in marketing
approaches.
The Power of Email Campaigns for User Retention
Understanding that attracting users was only part of the
equation, Naman invested significantly in email marketing campaigns aimed at
user retention. By implementing targeted drip campaigns, Refrens.com educated
users about industry trends, platform features, and best practices for freelancing.
This proactive engagement not only kept users informed but also fostered a
deeper connection with the platform, ultimately enhancing user loyalty and
encouraging repeat visits.
Nurturing the Freelancer Ecosystem
Through the establishment of Refrens.com, Naman Sarawagi is
not merely creating a business; he is nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for
freelancers and agencies. His commitment to empowering knowledge workers,
regardless of geographic location, reflects a vision of inclusivity within the
freelance industry. By offering essential tools and resources, he aims to
enable freelancers to thrive in a competitive landscape, fostering an
environment where talent can be matched with opportunity seamlessly.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Refrens.com
As Naman continues to steer Refrens.com towards greater
heights, his focus remains on expanding its offerings and enhancing user
experience. The lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey, marked
by both successes and challenges, fuel his determination to innovate. With the
freelance landscape evolving rapidly, Naman is well-positioned to make a
significant impact, helping freelancers not only find work but also build
fulfilling careers in an increasingly digital world.
Timeline of Naman Sarawagi's Journey
2010-2014 - Earns a Bachelor of Technology in Computer
Science, developing a passion for technology's potential.
September 2012 - Co-founds FindYogi, a price comparison app,
gaining over two million monthly users.
May 2016 - FindYogi is acquired by Way2 News, marking a
significant milestone in Naman's career.
December 2010 - Joins ZipDial as a Product Manager,
contributing to its growth before its acquisition by Twitter.
November 2009 - Becomes Head of Product at Freecharge.in,
helping it gain 100,000 users rapidly.
March 2019 - Appointed Independent Director at E2E Networks,
enhancing his strategic insights.
June 2019 - Co-founds Refrens.com, a platform for
freelancers addressing invoicing and payments.
2020 - Refrens.com evolves into a market network for SMEs,
with over 50,000 active businesses.
2021 - Secures funding from angel investors, facilitating
growth and development for Refrens.com.
2024 - Focuses on expanding Refrens.com's offerings and
enhancing user experience in the freelance ecosystem.
