Rakesh Verma: Pioneering India’s Navigation Revolution with MapmyIndia

The imaginative inventor of MapmyIndia, Rakesh Verma, is preparing for a hard struggle against the mighty Google Maps in the fiercely competitive realm of online navigation services in India. The nation’s oldest mapmaker, MapmyIndia, is implementing strategic steps to regain its prominence in the navigation field as smartphones become more commonplace and data costs keep falling. The company, led by Rakesh Verma, has demonstrated its aggressive approach to reclaiming market dominance with the recent release of a redesigned app and creative digital addresses.

Established in 1995 by Rakesh and Rashmi Verma, CE Info Systems, the parent company of MapmyIndia, has been a pioneer in the mapmaking industry. Initially focusing on B2B ventures, MapmyIndia carved a niche by securing over 80% of the automobile map space. The company’s maps are pre-loaded in vehicles from prominent manufacturers like Hyundai and Jaguar, and it provides backend technology for ride-sharing giants like Ola. While the B2B segment has contributed significantly to the firm’s annual revenues, which have surpassed ₹200 crore, Rakesh Verma envisions a more consumer-centric future.

In February, MapmyIndia launched a new app, marking a strategic shift towards engaging directly with consumers. Rakesh Verma emphasizes the superior quality of MapmyIndia’s maps, expressing confidence that they outclass competitors. With Google Maps eyeing expansion into the B2B segment, Verma is resolute in his commitment to reclaiming lost ground. “They (Google Maps) had encroached our space; we are saying we will get back. Now we are planning our full foray into the consumer space,” affirms Rakesh Verma.

Despite facing stiff competition from global giants like Google Maps and Apple Maps, MapmyIndia boasts a unique advantage – a tool providing e-locations (eLoc) for digitally mapping physical properties and addresses. This innovation assigns a six-digit code to properties, enabling precise navigation. Rakesh Verma recognizes the significant entry barrier this presents to competitors, as physically mapping this extensive database would pose a formidable challenge.

Acknowledging that MapmyIndia lost ground in recent years, especially with the proliferation of affordable smartphones and data plans, Rakesh Verma remains undeterred. The company’s new strategy involves an aggressive marketing campaign, leveraging its deep understanding of India’s geographical nuances. The focus is on delivering an unmatched user experience through the newly-launched app, highlighting MapmyIndia’s strengths and technological superiority over competitors like Google Maps.

Rakesh Verma’s proactive approach includes expanding business ventures, with recent investments from notable players like Flipkart, Qualcomm, and Zenrin. The company’s collaboration with The Weather Company (TWC), owned by IBM, further diversifies its offerings, providing hyper-local weather information to various sectors.

In an unprecedented move, MapmyIndia has also entered partnerships with two-wheeler companies, integrating location and navigation technology into vehicles. With an eye on the future, Rakesh Verma anticipates a new wave of growth, potentially fueled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative. MapmyIndia’s commitment to indigenous products and job creation positions it as a strategic player in this context.

As the battle for dominance in India’s navigation space intensifies, Rakesh Verma remains confident in MapmyIndia’s capabilities. His unwavering belief in the company’s technology, combined with a commitment to building a strong brand presence, positions MapmyIndia as a formidable contender in the evolving landscape of digital maps and navigation services.