FastBeetle Paves the Way: Sheikh Samiullah and Abid Rashid Lone Revolutionize Kashmir’s Logistics Landscape

In the picturesque valleys of Kashmir, where challenges like limited internet connectivity persist, entrepreneurs Sheikh Samiullah and Abid Rashid Lone are rewriting the narrative with their online logistics venture, FastBeetle. Amidst the backdrop of 2G internet speeds and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, their startup not only delivers essential goods but also plays a pivotal role in reshaping the local economy.

Samiullah and Lone founded FastBeetle in August 2018, precisely a year before the abrogation of Article 370, recognizing the inherent need for last-mile delivery connectivity in Kashmir. They identified a gap where established logistics giants like BlueDart were not omnipresent due to lower regional volumes. Today, FastBeetle boasts around 500 enterprise clients, with a significant 80 percent being small businesses led by women entrepreneurs.

The start-up is not merely a delivery service; it acts as a conduit connecting farmers directly to consumers. Samiullah explains, “We help deliver fresh produce like Kashmiri apples directly from farmers to the customers, eliminating middlemen.” This approach not only supports local farmers but also empowers small businesses run by women. FastBeetle faced a critical juncture during the internet shutdown when orders dwindled to zero. However, the onset of the pandemic marked a turning point for the startup. “During the lockdown, we started delivering medicines, groceries, and other essentials to people. We started receiving around 300 orders a day during the lockdown. Now, between 100 and 150 orders are executed daily,” says Samiullah.

Lone points out that the potential to complete around 6,000 orders a month exists, but the limitations of 2G connectivity hinder their operations. The lack of support from the local government adds another layer of challenge. Despite these hurdles, FastBeetle continues to navigate the landscape, showcasing the resilience of Kashmir’s entrepreneurs. Sheikh Samiullah reveals that FastBeetle is currently working on a partnership with a global e-commerce major to establish a last-mile delivery center in Kashmir. This collaboration not only positions FastBeetle as a key player in the region’s logistics sector but also signals a broader effort to integrate local businesses into the global market.

Several entrepreneurs in Kashmir are following suit, collaborating with larger companies outside Jammu and Kashmir to drive their expansion plans. These initiatives aim not only to bolster individual businesses but also to contribute to the overall economic development of the region. The challenges in Kashmir extend beyond the business realm, touching upon education and digital access. Recognizing the importance of mentorship, young leaders like Omar Hafiz and Shoaib Dar are actively involved in guiding the next generation. Their non-profit Pi Jam Foundation focuses on digital learning programs, reaching out to students across different districts.

Hafiz emphasizes the need to teach digital skills early on, enabling children to apply technology to enhance creativity, address mental health stress, and solve day-to-day problems. The program adapts to the digital divide by offering live sessions on low-bandwidth platforms, offline computer science activity kits for those without internet access, and compressed files for students with low access. In the face of internet challenges, entrepreneurs like Omaira Khan and Binish Basheer Khan, founders of Craft World Kashmir, showcase unyielding determination. Their Instagram business, which monetizes the creation of crochet and floral jewelry, faced losses during the internet shutdown but is now making strides towards recovery.

Despite the obstacles, Omaira and Binish continue to invest, pay their employees, and serve as trailblazers for women entrepreneurs in the region. Their story, along with the endeavors of FastBeetle, Sheikh Samiullah, and Abid Rashid Lone, exemplifies the resilience and innovation thriving amidst adversity in Kashmir’s entrepreneurial landscape.