Who’s gonna be India’s first super app?

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Most people have more than 50 apps on their phones. But for massive app hoarders like my friend, 120 would be my modest guess (trust me, searching for an app on his phone is a workout for the hands). This is where super apps would come in handy: You simply get one app to access over 50 functions. How fuss-free does that sound? Even PayPal has recently jumped on the bandwagon, announcing its ambition to become a super app itself.

While we know a lot of companies are trying to become a super app, just who are the ones nearing that goal?

Today we look at:

• The key players in India’s super-app competition
• An alternative-meat startup getting US$29 million in funding
• Other newsy highlights such as Tata Group acquiring a big stake in BigBasket and Grab’s strategic partnerships in Indonesia

PREMIUM SUMMARY

Can we get an ‘owa owa’ for India’s super apps?

“Super app” is a status sought after by many. Most of you would already know the popular ones such as WeChat in China, and Grab and Gojek in Southeast Asia. But who holds the super-app crown in India?

• The top contender: Paytm is the closest thing to a super app in the country. It allows users to make digital transactions, buy flight and entertainment tickets, purchase insurance, and more. But Paytm still pales in comparison to what a super app like WeChat can do.
• Catching up: Tata Group and Reliance Industries Limited are two of India’s largest conglomerates that are also vying to become a super app. The former has a strong brand name and a lot of consumer-facing brands under its belt while the latter has a well-established online presence and the backing of social giant Facebook.
• The fight heats up: According to our chart that compares the service offerings of the different companies in India’s super-app race, Paytm and Amazon are currently leading the space. But one thing to note is how all the key players are still missing two important components: food delivery and ride hailing.

Read more: Super apps in India: How do the competitors stack up?

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