The next big thing in India’s start-up boom? Faith tech, says AppsforBharat CEO

Prashant Sachan, founder and CEO of AppsforBharat, believes that the faith tech sector has the potential to eclipse even the booming food delivery industry in India. He is steering his startup towards this ambitious goal with the launch of Sri Mandir, a platform designed to digitally connect devotees with temples across the country. Recently, AppsforBharat secured Series C funding led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, which will accelerate the growth of its offerings. Unlike other devotional apps that flood the market, Sri Mandir aims to distinguish itself by fostering transparent partnerships with culturally significant temples, enabling users to engage in virtual darshan. Sachan explains that the inspiration behind Sri Mandir comes from the vast, largely unexplored spiritual market in India. "While markets like fashion, groceries, and ride-hailing are well-tapped, the devotional and spiritual sectors remain largely untouched, and that was my opportunity to innovate," he states. The potential for growth in this sector is substantial. With an estimated 3.5 million temples in India, Sri Mandir currently features just 70, but Sachan envisions expanding this number to 10,000. "There's a massive opportunity ahead, and if executed effectively, faith tech could indeed rival food delivery services in India," he asserts. The app also caters to the Indian diaspora eager to maintain ties with their spiritual heritage. According to IMARC, the religious and spiritual market in India was valued at $65 billion in 2024, with projections to soar to $135 billion by 2033. While competitors like Temple Connect and BookMyPooja exist, AppsforBharat's early-stage support from venture capital firms such as Peak XV, Elevation Capital, and Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum provides a significant advantage. Though Sachan remains tight-lipped about current revenues, he reveals that the company achieved contribution-positive status in the fiscal year 2024. The business model of AppsforBharat revolves around direct partnerships with temples, allowing them to go digital through the app. Users can make offerings starting at ₹11, book pooja packages ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500, or organize temple tours. Additionally, users can access a variety of features, including panchang (almanac), horoscopes, and devotional music. To further enhance user experience, the company has introduced "AI Guruji," an artificial intelligence-powered guide that assists users with queries related to rituals, astrology, and religious significance. Revenue is generated through commissions of approximately 20-25% on these transactions, and the platform currently boasts 3.5 million monthly active users. Sri Mandir is on a mission to digitize interactions with historically significant temples, especially those located in Tier II and III cities, aiming to bring cultural treasures to a broader audience. "We want to work with temples that are rich in history and culture from across India, particularly in smaller locations," Sachan emphasizes. Sachan explains that many temples, aside from major pilgrimage sites, face challenges in maintaining their infrastructure due to limited resources. Through AppsforBharat, he hopes to provide financial support for these temples via user offerings, which could ultimately stimulate tourism and enhance the income of priests performing rituals for customers. With a clear vision, AppsforBharat aims to transform traditional temple visits and rituals into a seamless digital experience. Sachan, a seasoned entrepreneur with a prior venture, Trell, is determined to leverage his knowledge and investor trust to scale AppsforBharat effectively. Currently, the company employs around 250 people and has raised a total of $50 million, with $35 million still available for future growth. Looking forward, Sachan envisions AppsforBharat becoming the primary digital conduit for India’s expansive spiritual ecosystem. "Just as you pay for food or groceries, you can now pay for devotion," he concludes, confidently predicting that faith tech may one day rival the scale of India’s giants in the food delivery sector.