Startup leaders advocate for fairer, sustainable future for App Stores at Indus Appstore launch
At the launch of PhonePe’s Indus Appstore in Bengaluru, a panel discussed sustainable business models for app stores in the Indian market. Moderated by Sajith Sivanandan, the panel included insights from startup leaders, focusing on inclusivity and innovation for Indian developers. PhonePe’s CEO Sameer Nigam emphasized offering a level playing field for all developers without mandating any specific payment gateway.
The panel highlighted challenges such as limited revenue streams, high commission fees, lack of discoverability, opaque policies, and data security concerns in app stores. To address these challenges, they proposed solutions including flexible monetization options, promoting inclusivity by supporting multiple Indian languages, and offering tools for developers to localize their apps easily.
PhonePe’s founder, Sameer Nigam, shared the platform’s revenue model focusing on advertising and cataloging services, aiming to give every developer a fair chance to succeed in the competitive app market. The panelists stressed the need for app stores to reduce commission fees, provide alternative monetization models, and support regional preferences to foster growth and innovation in the Indian app ecosystem.
The launch of Indus Appstore by PhonePe sparked discussions on sustainable business models for app stores in India, emphasizing inclusivity, innovation, and growth for Indian developers. With insights from prominent startup leaders, the panel addressed challenges such as limited revenue streams, high commission fees, and lack of discoverability, proposing solutions to create a more equitable and thriving app store ecosystem.
