Flipkart has Terminated Our Collaboration: Online pharmacy SastaSundar

According to SastaSundar Ventures, which runs digital platforms with a health focus, its collaboration with e-commerce behemoth Flipkart is now finished. B L Mittal, the founder and executive chairman of SastaSundar, told a news agency that SastaSundar Healthbuddy, a division of SastaSundar Ventures, had reclaimed the brand's intellectual property rights (IPR) and non-compete agreements from Flipkart Health+ through its recently established subsidiary SastaSundar Healthtech.

Notably, in 2021, Flipkart Health, a subsidiary of Flipkart, purchased a 75% share in SastaSundar Healthbuddy. SastaSundar Ventures notified the stock exchanges in October 2024 that SastaSundar Healthbuddy has signed a share purchase agreement to transfer Flipkart Health Limited's whole stake to Flipkart Health Private Limited, Singapore. Both preference and equity shares were sold as part of the transaction.

According to the company's filing, SastaSundar Healthbuddy Limited, a significant subsidiary, will get the entire consideration of INR 97.17 Cr. According to Mittal, the business sold Flipkart a 75% ownership in SastaSundar Marketplace in 2021 for INR 750 Cr.

SastaSundar’s Business Operations

In an investor presentation in October 2024, the firm stated that it expected the brand to be profitable and planned to invest approximately INR 115 Cr in "technology and brand building" over the following three years. Notably, SastaSundar Ventures has two digital platforms: RetailerShakti, a B2B platform for the distribution of pharmaceutical and wellness products, and SastaSundar App, a B2C platform that offers pharmacy, diagnostic, and wellness services.

Flipkart Health, on the other hand, is an online pharmacy where customers can purchase medications, medical supplies, and wellness goods. Following Flipkart's acquisition of SastaSundar, it was introduced in 2022.

Growing Network of 10 Min Medicine Delivery

Less than a month has passed since rumours circulated that Flipkart was preparing to introduce a 10-minute medication delivery service under its "Minutes" rapid commerce brand. According to reports at the time, the e-commerce giant had already begun enrolling neighbourhood pharmacies in major cities to supply medications.

The 10-minute medication delivery service is a noteworthy experiment that Flipkart is not the only one experimenting with. Foodtech titan Swiggy and e-pharmacy major PharmEasy launched a 10-minute medication delivery service in certain Bengaluru areas in October of last year. Next is BigBasket, which is supported by Tata and aims to take advantage of this whitespace by using its sister brand, Tata 1mg, to provide speedy medication delivery.

In addition, while only having one location in Bengaluru at the moment, Plazza, which was established in November 2024, has also become a rising force in the fast medication delivery market.

Zomato to Begin 10-Minute Meal Delivery Trials in NCR Next Week

Zomato is set to launch 10-minute meal delivery trials in NCR next week under its Quick brand, aiming to revolutionize the fast food delivery space.

StartupTalkyNitin Konde