The Indian civilization has been built on Bharat’s indomitable entrepreneurial spirit. History suggests that trade was at the heart of all activities during the ancient civilizations dating back to the Indus Valley and Harappan times. Also, artifacts, such as seals and standardized weights, suggest a sophisticated trade and commerce system was in place even in those days. Even during the Mauryan Empire and Gupta Empire, prosperity was marked by trade practices, an extensive network of trade routes, and exports from flourishing industries, which further emphasizes Bharat’s roots as an enterprise-oriented ethos and deep entrepreneurial roots, but the dark colonial era under the East India Company disputed our legacy and set us back. The after-effects of colonialism and its crooked practices left a bad taste in the minds of people about business. The idea that business is bad and all businessmen are evil was further propagated by communist policies and Bollywood propaganda. Even post-independence, we never truly managed to gain freedom from the ideological shackles imposed on us.

Cut to the present day, modern Bharatis are finally reviving their early roots, and entrepreneurship from grassroots MSMEs is being celebrated again. In this journey, companies like iGowise are contributing to the movement by helping microentrepreneurs become self-reliant. Let’s discuss how this new-age company is changing the landscape through its innovative products and vision-oriented operations.

The Long Recovery Phase and Path to Glory

Today, there is a shift in the attitude, as entrepreneurship is not limited to celebrity startups with access to millions in funding. This change becomes evident as we take note of the 63 million MSMEs registered in India and the others that are getting formalized as we speak. Indeed, we have come a long way from abject poverty, but still have a long way to go to reclaim the lost glory. This vision will only become a reality if we focus on empowering the smaller, self-made entrepreneurs and provide them with the right tools and opportunities. While most microentrepreneurs are persistent, they are also one mishap away from crumbling back into poverty. Since they are more vulnerable to setbacks than bigshot startups, Bharat’s road to glory hinges on their success. However, their growth trajectory is marred by several challenges.

Mobility Challenges Hindering Microentrepreneurs’ Growth

Safety: Even today, safety remains a big concern for micro-entrepreneurs on our streets in India, who rely heavily on vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, to ferry their products or reach their customers. In India, two-wheelers account for nearly 50% of fatal road accidents and the presence of potholes and skiddy mopeds further exacerbates the risks. Regardless, many micro-entrepreneurs tend to overload their vehicles out of necessity, which puts them at a greater risk. Most of them are young and the sole breadwinners for their families, so a road mishap often becomes a cause of massive financial setbacks or loss of livelihood.

High Fatigue: Microentrepreneurs like Kirana store owners, street hawkers, and delivery executives are often required to carry heavy loads. Even in organized logistics segments, delivery executives endure backbreaking loads and high fatigue on their knees to keep their jobs. What’s more concerning is that the churn rate in today’s delivery space is quite high, but the segment struggles to retain its riders. However, this gap can be addressed if fleet owners increase riders’ income without increasing their physical burden.

Unsuitable mode of mobility: The problem with most microentrepreneurs is that they cannot afford separate vehicles to meet their personal and commercial needs. However, they have limited access to versatile solutions that can fulfill both roles efficiently. In this context, simple electrification is not a feasible solution. This is because a large of the anticipated savings from an electric scooter’s fuel cost savings eventually go toward its EMIs or rental subscriptions. Micro-entrepreneurs need more incentives to improve their experience and support their livelihood and in this current market, those incentives would encompass more income, comfort, enhanced safety, and better social status. Pure functional value is not enough, recognizing that they are simply humans with their own emotions and aspirations is quite important. The key underlying insight, that is often unexpressed vocally is that “if we cannot flaunt our lifestyle to our neighbors, it is not fully worth it!”

Keeping these in mind, iGo has designed mobility solutions, including BeiGo X4, a heavy-duty electric trike tailored to the needs of microentrepreneurs. Its advanced features meet these gaps without burdening the riders’ pockets.

Why BeiGo X4 is the Ultimate Workhorse 

The BeiGo X4 efficiently combines rugged utility with advanced features to empower the new generation of microentrepreneurs and gig workers. This makes it a go-to mobility solution that can enhance their lifestyle and provide an opportunity for a dignified future. In addition, its unique features align it with the needs of modern riders and make it suitable for rugged Indian roads. For instance, some of the key features that continue to add to its worth and efficiency include:

Extended Battery Range and Speed: The BeiGo X4 offers a top speed of up to 70 km/h and a maximum range of 150 km. This allows delivery executives, Kirana store owners, and gig workers to arrive on time and make multiple trips in the day without worrying about charging.

Flexible Battery Options: iGo offers users an option to get a 3.6 kWh ultra-durable LMFP battery or upgrade to a premium 4.4 kWh dual-pack version per their needs and affordability. It also extends a 4-year unlimited km warranty on the premium battery pack under the iGo-Care package to make it a value purchase.

Fast and Convenient Charging: The electric trike needs standard 2-hour swift home charging and is compatible with faster charging solutions. This ensures less downtime and more action on the road. In addition, iGowise assures a 48-hour turnaround for service issues that often keep delivery executives on their toes.

Unmatched Safety: The vehicle features an on-demand self-balancing system, a dual-wheel powertrain, and a triple-disc-brake CBS system. These features ensure safety and balance for riders throughout their journey and make the experience comfortable.

Mobility Multiplier Effect: Every rupee invested in reliable mobility can reward users multiple times. This notion stands true for BeiGo, which is a vehicle designed for economic upliftment. To help microenterprises make the most of these features, iGowise has partnered with several after-sales service enablers and new-age EV financiers like Evate Tech. iGo is offering VaaS (Vehicle as a Service) and BaaS (Battery as a Service) pricing models to make the vehicle available at zero upfront cost. The company extends the VaaS model at a subscription of INR 100/40 km, while the BaaS model starts at 1 rupee per KM. This smart financing model further makes it easier to become self-sufficient.

In these ways, iGowise is helping address the need for safety, security, comfort, and dignity and empowering today’s microentrepreneurs. Above all, by extending a high-quality mobility solution in the form of BeiGo X4 at an affordable price, the company is helping entrepreneurs and gig workers become self-reliant and financially secure.