Not every conventional success story begins with a top competitive exam rank. After taking a drop year to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination, Kuldeep Rathore ultimately could not clear JEE Advanced. Rather than serving as an endpoint, however, this initial setback proved to be an unexpected turning point in his professional path.
In September 2023, he enrolled in the IIT Madras BS Degree Programme in Data Science. The flexible online structure of the course enabled him to continue his higher education while simultaneously pursuing various entrepreneurial interests spanning fashion, manufacturing, and quick commerce.
Earlier in May 2024, Kuldeep and his co-founder, Shivansh, established Zodok, which was a fashion-oriented quick-commerce venture based in Pune. Adopting a hands-on strategy, the pair rented an apartment close to a dark store, constructed their own website, and managed local operations to ensure swift customer fulfillment.
That venture managed to scale up to approximately 100 daily orders and served a user base exceeding 10,000 customers before eventually being acquired by KNOT. Following the buyout, Kuldeep took on a role as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence within the founder's office at KNOT, where he gained direct exposure to the country's manufacturing and small-business ecosystems.
During this tenure, he contributed to the launch of a pair of private labels that attained a high sell-through rate of 90 percent. He also built supply networks reaching across Surat, the Delhi NCR region, and China, engaging directly with upwards of 100 manufacturers to sharpen his expertise in sourcing and supply chain administration.
Drawing upon the insights gathered at Zodok and KNOT, Kuldeep subsequently founded SamanNow, a value-driven quick-commerce enterprise tailored for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The company aims to provide 60-minute delivery of everyday goods, targeting cost-conscious consumers outside of major metropolitan areas by streamlining manufacturing and logistical pipelines.
SamanNow has secured USD 1.1 million in pre-seed backing from prominent investors including Antler, Titan Capital, and All In Capital. This financial injection serves as a significant milestone as the enterprise scales its affordable delivery model across emerging urban markets.
Reflecting on his trajectory, Kuldeep emphasizes the value of the flexible IIT Madras curriculum in letting him run businesses concurrently with his academics. His experience stands as an example for students who might feel restricted by standard test outcomes, demonstrating that real-world problem-solving and adaptability can forge alternate routes to achievement.