VAHAN.AI
Vahan is a startup focused on gig working industry, it has placed more that 3 million people to work with its partners like Swiggy, Zepto (Y17) ,Zomato.
The wallet was its full service to provide riders within Indian major cities with incentives and help create a networking recruitment.
- My Role
- Senior Product Designer
- Country
- Bangalore, India
- Timeline
- 2024–20251 year
- Team
- UX Researcher, PM, 2 Engineers
The Problem
Vahan.ai (YC19) had a Job delivery app and wallet system but very low adoption staying at 32% after launch in 2023. It was built for gig workers(delivery) connecting with companies like Swiggy , Blinkit and Zomato across India. I had inherited a version that was clunky and not gamified. Existing wallet felt like another feature to learn and would lead to drop-off.
After two months analyzing user behavior, we saw the pattern riders would sign up, look at the wallet, then never use it. CAC exceeded ₹850 and retention remained below 15% at day 7. We were asking riders to change behavior without giving them a reason to start. If we couldn't solve the barrier no amount of UI polish could drive adoption.
The ₹100 That Changed Everything - A behavior analysis
As growth designer at Vahan (YC19), I transformed wallet adoption from 32% to 64 %to viral growth. I leveraged my game design degree and transformed the wallet from a payment tool into a challenge system
The Strategic Challenge
THE ADOPTION PARADOX -We gave riders ₹100 for petrol .Adoption hit 70%. Three months later: 34%. The money wasn't the problem. The trust in the system was.
The Analysis and game mechanics
I applied game design principles called “A Hero’s Journey” to solve friction. Money was the factor. Lesser rides completion and reward gave motivation. A rider was refresh every hour to check trips and get the job done.
Game design principles—goals, progress, rewards—solved a cold-start business problem.
Version 1
OffersChallenges
New Wallet
Communities introduction
Version 2
- App jumped 34% to 64%in usage and activated referral program
- Evening hours saw 3x completion rate
- Riders completed trips 40% faster to earn reward
Feedback & Impact
Vahan is great; once you get the hang of it, after activation, it's excellent for receiving orders, timely payments, along with the best incentives and offers
5 out of 5 stars, GOVINDA RAO
Vahan is great; once you get the hang of it, after activation, it's excellent for receiving orders, timely payments, along with the best incentives and offers
5 out of 5 stars, GOVINDA RAO
Vahan is great; once you get the hang of it, after activation, it's excellent for receiving orders, timely payments, along with the best incentives and offers
5 out of 5 stars, GOVINDA RAO
Vahan is great; once you get the hang of it, after activation, it's excellent for receiving orders, timely payments, along with the best incentives and offers
5 out of 5 stars, GOVINDA RAO