BizzO Empowers Bharat's Micro-Entrepreneurs with a 24/7 Digital Booking Ecosystem

For small service-based businesses in Bharat—from taxi operators in Mahabaleshwar to boutique villa owners—going digital has traditionally meant "renting" space on giant aggregator platforms. While these aggregators provided visibility, they often did so at the cost of 30% commissions and total control over the customer relationship.

Enter Vineet Toshniwal, a veteran with over 25 years of experience at institutions like Citibank, Bank of America, and Infosys. With his latest venture, BizzO, Toshniwal is flipping the script. He’s providing micro-entrepreneurs with a "do-it-yourself" app that allows them to build their own digital storefronts, automate bookings, and keep their hard-earned margins.

From leading global operations in China to empowering 5,000+ local businesses in India, Toshniwal’s journey is a masterclass in applying enterprise rigor to solve micro-scale problems.

The Problem: The "Aggregator Trap" and Missed Opportunities

The rise of digital aggregators (OTAs, taxi-hailing apps, etc.) was initially a boon for small businesses. However, over time, the dependency turned into a liability. Small operators realized that aggregators "owned" their customers, and the high commissions often left the actual service provider with razor-thin profits.

"aggregators... shell out to the aggregators which is in the magnitude of 25 to 30 percent at times which leaves nothing for these small micro businesses," Toshniwal explains. Beyond the costs, there was the problem of manual operation. For a taxi driver or a tour guide, a missed call often meant a missed booking.

The Solution: A 24/7 "Digital Twin" for Micro-Businesses

BizzO is a simple, DIY mobile app that allows any service provider to digitize their entire catalog in under 45 minutes. It’s not just a listing; it’s a fully functional booking engine that works 24/7.

"We are basically automating the pain of taking digital booking for them with a simple do-it-yourself app," says Toshniwal. Whether it's an intercity taxi tour or a hotel room, the app manages inventory, handles payments, and sends automated invoices and vouchers.

Real-World Success: The Mahabaleshwar Taxi Union

Toshniwal shares a striking example: the Mahabaleshwar Taxi Union. Traditionally, tourists had to walk up to a manual window, pay cash, and wait for a voucher. With BizzO, the union has gone totally digital. "You can either book it on their website or directly scan the qr code at the site itself... the guy just calls you and says, 'I'm ready to service you.'"

Implementation: From Infosys to Bharat

Toshniwal credits his time at Infosys, working under leaders like Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, for giving him the confidence to think big. "Infosys... has given global confidence to Indians to think conceptualized products and take on very large ideas," he reflects.

Despite his enterprise background, building BizzO required a "feet on the street" approach. The company uses partner agencies and "runners"—often college students—who visit local businesses to explain the concept and help them set up their digital profiles on the spot. This high-touch model has helped BizzO acquire over 5,000 customers organically in just a few months since its MVP launch in January.

The Human Side: The "Lonely Road" of the Founder

Toshniwal is refreshingly honest about the psychological toll of entrepreneurship. He describes it as a "lonely road" where the founder must appear "irrationally optimistic" to everyone—from investors who want a large vision to employees who need security.

To stay grounded, he turns to Vedic science and the principles of karmic action. "All you are able to see is from the headlight a few hundred meters... make sure you drive well and the path will become clear," he says, quoting advice from his late father. This "one step at a time" philosophy allows him to navigate the "tech talent wars" and the inertia of traditional business habits.

Key Takeaways for Service Entrepreneurs

• Solve Difficult Problems: If you solve easy problems, you'll be in a crowded market soon. Look for systemic gaps with far-reaching potential.
• Fight Inertia, Not Competition: Often, your biggest enemy isn't another app; it's the customer's habit of doing things "the old way."
• Communicate the Vision: Toshniwal has never used headhunters. He hires by sharing his vision on social groups and looking for people whose "passion comes out of their eyes and ears."
• Think Like an Owner: Toshniwal’s goal isn't just to build an app, but to develop 100 entrepreneurs within his own team.

BizzO is more than just a booking app; it’s an ecosystem play. By focusing on the travel, tourism, and hospitality value chain, BizzO allows different service providers to cross-sell and up-sell each other's services, creating a "baton race" of digital convenience for the end consumer. As Toshniwal puts it, the goal is total freedom—for himself as a visionary and for the micro-entrepreneurs of Bharat.