NearU ropes in marketing guru Challagalla as investor

Mumbai-based startup NearU today announced it has brought on board Goutam Challagalla, a Professor of Marketing at leading business school, IMD Switzerland, as one of its investor.
Challagalla, who has invested an undisclosed sum in the startup, has advised several Fortune 500 companies including IBM, HSBC, UPS, EY, GE, Swatch Group among others, NearU said in a statement.
He has assisted clients on developing market strategy, designing marketing and sales organisation, and customer service, it added.
The marketing Guru would help NearU pave the way for its future marketing plans and expansion in international regions, NearU expects.
"NearU app is an innovative marketing platform for the retailers and I see a lot of potential in its vision," Challagalla said.

NearU, present in eight Indian cities, offers a marketing platform for retailers, and operates as a location based mobile application for discovery and deals, based on an online to offline model.
The app has streamlined the offers into nine wide categories of apparels, accessories, food and beverage, electronics, health and beauty, entertainment, home and living, hotels and automobiles.