NearU ropes in marketing guru Challagalla as investor

Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) Mumbai-based startup NearU todayannounced it has brought on board Goutam Challagalla, aProfessor of Marketing at leading business school, IMDSwitzerland, as one of its investor. Challagalla, who has invested an undisclosed sum in thestartup, has advised several Fortune 500 companies includingIBM, HSBC, UPS, EY, GE, Swatch Group among others, NearU saidin a statement. He has assisted clients on developing market strategy,designing marketing and sales organisation, and customerservice, it added. The marketing Guru would help NearU pave the way for itsfuture marketing plans and expansion in international regions,NearU expects. "NearU app is an innovative marketing platform for theretailers and I see a lot of potential in its vision,"Challagalla said. NearU, present in eight Indian cities, offers a marketingplatform for retailers, and operates as a location basedmobile application for discovery and deals, based on an onlineto offline model. The app has streamlined the offers into nine widecategories of apparels, accessories, food and beverage,electronics, health and beauty, entertainment, home andliving, hotels and automobiles. PTI DSK ARSABKSDM