Dealt, formerly known as Mon Super Voisin, has raised €6 million ($6.5 million) in a recent funding round. This French startup’s shift from a home task marketplace to a service platform for retailers demonstrates a significant and successful pivot. The funding round, led by La Poste Ventures and other investors, underscores the viability of Dealt’s new strategy, offering valuable insights for early-stage founders contemplating a pivot.
From Mon Super Voisin to Dealt: A Strategic Shift
Mon Super Voisin began as a typical freelancer marketplace, connecting individuals with neighbors who could assist with various home tasks such as mounting TVs or deep cleaning. However, the model had limitations, primarily because these tasks were often one-off, leading customers to bypass the platform after the initial connection.
Recognizing that a significant portion of their requests were post-purchase services, Dealt’s co-founder and CEO Mickael Braconnier realized the need to pivot. “Over two-thirds of our users’ requests were actually retail customers needing help after purchasing something,” Braconnier told TechCrunch. This insight led to the transformation of Mon Super Voisin into Dealt, a service platform catering to retailers.
The New Business Model
Dealt’s first major partnership was with Mr. Bricolage, a prominent DIY retailer in France. The startup developed a white-label platform for Mr. Bricolage, enabling the retailer to upsell clients with services such as home delivery and product installation. This shift allowed retailers to streamline their service offerings and capture a share of the service revenue, a stark contrast to merely providing business cards of nearby craftspeople.
Dealt’s model is now subscription-based. After an initial setup fee, retailers pay a monthly subscription to access the platform, with fees varying according to the number of stores utilizing Dealt’s tools. This structure aligns interests across the board: retailers generate new revenue lines from service cuts, and service providers gain a new avenue for client acquisition.
Expansion and Impact
Dealt’s new strategy has attracted several major retailers, including Fnac-Darty, Orange, E.Leclerc, Conforama, and others. These partnerships allow retailers to offer a variety of services, ranging from installation to data transfer and repair, further enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
The startup currently collaborates with 10,000 service providers and serves 500 retail stores and 40 e-commerce clients. With plans to expand into Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain next year, Dealt aims to broaden its European footprint.
Insights and Future Outlook
From my point of view, Dealt’s pivot exemplifies how startups can effectively reposition themselves in response to market needs. By focusing on post-purchase services, Dealt has tapped into a recurring revenue stream, benefiting both retailers and service providers. The successful funding round serves as validation of this strategy, providing a compelling case for other startups considering a pivot.
The shift also highlights the importance of aligning business models with customer behavior. Dealt’s transition to a service platform addresses the common issue of clients bypassing intermediary platforms for direct transactions, ensuring continuous engagement and revenue generation.
However, the challenge remains in maintaining service quality and scalability as Dealt expands. Ensuring consistent service delivery across different regions and managing a growing network of service providers will be crucial for sustaining growth.
In summary, Dealt’s transformation from Mon Super Voisin to a retailer-focused service platform is a testament to the potential of strategic pivots. The startup’s ability to adapt and innovate offers valuable lessons for the tech and retail sectors, illustrating how businesses can thrive by aligning their services with evolving market demands.
