By Segun Adeyanju
Two 17-year-old friends from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Zishan and Md. Sahil, have turned their struggles as daily labourers into a promising entrepreneurial journey with the launch of Proxigo, a home and electronic repair services startup.
Founded in November 2024, Proxigo connects households directly with technicians, ensuring fairer pay for workmen while providing affordable services to customers.
In less than a year, the venture has served over 3,000 households and clocked revenues of ₹7.5 lakh, with profits reinvested to grow the business.
The idea was born out of frustration. Both teens, once earning barely ₹150 a day as helpers to AC technicians, noticed how workers received only a fraction of what customers were charged.
Determined to change this, they began organizing local technicians through a WhatsApp group, bypassing middlemen.
What started with 400 customers in two months has now grown into a structured business with a website and mobile app, developed by Zishan through self-taught coding skills.
Proxigo now offers a wide range of services, including AC, washing machine, and geyser repairs, plumbing, carpentry, and even home tile installation.
The startup has also embraced low-cost digital marketing, tapping WhatsApp, Meta ads, micro-influencers, and pamphlets pasted on auto-rickshaws to reach new customers.
Their app allows households to book services, rate technicians, and pay securely, with automatic revenue splits between Proxigo and workers.
Despite limited resources, the duo’s resilience has attracted attention. A Jharkhand-based entrepreneur has already shown interest in investing ₹25 lakh in their venture. With strong community support, a growing social media presence, and over 2,000 Instagram followers, Proxigo is quickly becoming Dhanbad’s own version of Urban Company.
“We started with nothing but a desire to end exploitation and help our families,” Zishan said. “Today, Proxigo is not just our business, it is our fight for dignity and opportunity.”
