LIVE MINT — Aug 13 – Online services firmConsim that runs the Bharatmatrimony.com matchmaking service has
postponed its plans to sell shares to the public through an IPO by up
to 2 years and has also scaled back by 75% its expansion plans for
brick-and-mortar matrimony centres across the country. Consim’s
CEO/founder Murugavel Janakiraman said “I certainly want to do an IPO
no later than 2011." He added that the company’s revenue would increase
50% this year and profit margins move up to 20% from 10%. Janakiraman
did not disclose the actual revenue or profits of the firm. FULL ARTICLE @ LIVE MINT
Mark Brooks: Mr Janakiraman will be speaking at the upcoming Internet Dating Conference in London. See agenda.
No surprise, 10% margin on a mostly online company is not good, investors probably want to see that number over 25% before they like the idea of an IPO. Company is probably doing fairly well but not IPO material at the moment.
Saying an IPO is two years out is posturing, they have no idea what is going to happen between now and then.
Brick-and-mortar centers, shudder, talk about problematic.
No surprise, 10% margin on a mostly online company is not good, investors probably want to see that number over 25% before they like the idea of an IPO. Company is probably doing fairly well but not IPO material at the moment.
Saying an IPO is two years out is posturing, they have no idea what is going to happen between now and then.
Brick-and-mortar centers, shudder, talk about problematic.
Show me a company that makes 25% margin. I’d like to invest in them. 🙂
The brick and mortars, agents networks, is an essential element of the Shaadi and Bharat Matrimony business models in India right now. That may change over time. But these services often work with parents. Parents aren’t online. So to get market share, they HAVE to offer the real world matchmaker-agents. In time, these sites may choose to phase out the matchmakers. But I see the matchmakers as a great way to add the personal touch. The site still does the real matchmaking. The matchmakers are really for the delivery of the matches. Russian and some Chinese services operate in a similar manner.
I’m working on a dating site right now that is melding the two services of matchmaking and online dating. Its fascinating territory.
Show me a company that makes 25% margin. I’d like to invest in them. 🙂
The brick and mortars, agents networks, is an essential element of the Shaadi and Bharat Matrimony business models in India right now. That may change over time. But these services often work with parents. Parents aren’t online. So to get market share, they HAVE to offer the real world matchmaker-agents. In time, these sites may choose to phase out the matchmakers. But I see the matchmakers as a great way to add the personal touch. The site still does the real matchmaking. The matchmakers are really for the delivery of the matches. Russian and some Chinese services operate in a similar manner.
I’m working on a dating site right now that is melding the two services of matchmaking and online dating. Its fascinating territory.