Pahia: A Mohali-Based Startup Empowering Street Vendors with Technology

A Missed Bowl of Soup Sparked a Movement

The inception of Pahia is rooted in the founders' personal experience of craving a vendor’s delicious soup. Unable to find their favorite vendor after he moved from his fixed location, the disappointment sparked a powerful idea in their minds - “What if vendors could stay connected with loyal customers?”

This question led to the birth of Pahia, a digital platform that supports local livelihoods. 

“Street vendors are an integral part of our economy, yet they lack digital presence and visibility,” said Pahia’s founder. “We’re committed to empowering them by providing a platform that elevates their business and connects them with urban customers in real time.”

Digitizing the Undiscovered Pahia

Pahia’s web based platform and app stands out with features like real-time vendor location updates, category-based searches, and personalized vendor listings such as ‘Favorites’ and ‘Nearby Vendors’. Each vendor profile includes essential tools like a call, directions, and a ‘Stop Here’ button. With a built-in location map and a strong community focus, Pahia empowers street vendors with digital visibility and customer reach.

After its launch on the Play Store in July 2024, Paihia has connected more than 2,000 street vendors with more than 6,000 active customers in Panchkula, Chandigarh, and Mohali region. 

Bridging the Gap, Building Dignity

Pahia has developed as a movement, organizing the unorganized and helping vendors create a digital presence to gain recognition and grow their business without complexity. Pahia’s purpose remains to create a community-led tech revolution that genuinely benefits the people - one location at a time.