Dealbox: Yash Chopra on Building a Hyperlocal Deals Platform and the Power of Self-Belief

Guest: Yash Chopra Date: January 15, 2026 Read Time: 10 mins

In the dense urban markets of India, consumers are always on the hunt for value, while local businesses struggle to reach them effectively. Yash Chopra, the Partner and CEO of Dealbox, is bridging this gap. An IIT Surat graduate with a background in engineering chemistry and a penchant for leadership, Yash is building a platform that makes localized offers and discounts accessible to everyone. His journey is a testament to the power of observation, self-belief, and the relentless pursuit of solving real-world problems.

The 'Savings' Solution: What is Dealbox?

Dealbox is a platform designed to simplify how users discover value in their own neighborhood. "We've categorized different types of offers—food, restaurants, salons—where users can find services at promotional prices," Yash explains. Unlike massive national aggregators, Dealbox focuses on the hyperlocal, ensuring that the deals are relevant to where the user actually lives and shops. By partnering with local vendors, Yash is helping them control the "flow" of customers while giving users a reason to choose one service over another based on transparent value.

The business model is built on promotional details—users can save anywhere from a few rupees to significant percentages on services that they normally buy at full price. For Yash, Dealbox isn't just an app; it's a tool for digital empowerment for local businesses.

"Don't build just a product; build a belief system. If you believe in yourself and observe the problems around you, the right idea will find you. Success is the only metric that validates your struggle." — Yash Chopra

The AIESEC Foundation: Developing Leadership

Before Dealbox, Yash was heavily involved in **AIESEC**, one of the world's largest youth-led organizations. This experience was pivotal. "AIESEC developed my leadership qualities and gave me a perspective on different cultures and mindsets," he shares. Working in a multi-departmental, global environment taught him how to handle operations, manage people, and navigate complex organizational structures—skills that became essential when he decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge.

The Multi-Venture Journey

Theater Screening: Yash's first foray into business involved organizing theater screenings for students to acquire knowledge outside of textbooks.
Marketing Flow: He explored how to control and direct customer flow through digital platforms, which eventually led to the concept of Dealbox.
Dealbox: A localized ecosystem for offers and discounts, focusing on real-world utility and consumer savings.

The 'Mentor' Partnership: Meeting Siddhant Kaushik

No founder is an island. Yash’s entry into the professional side of Dealbox came through a long-form conversation with Siddhant Kaushik. "We discussed problems, visions, and the future of the industry for hours," Yash recalls. Recognizing a shared drive and complementary skills, they decided to partner. Siddhant, being a technical mentor and an experienced hand in computer science, provided the technical backbone that Yash needed to scale his marketing and operational visions.

Mindset for Future Founders

Observe Everything: Problems aren't always big; sometimes they are small daily inconveniences. Those are your business opportunities.
Trust the Process: Entrepreneurship is an 'unknown journey.' You might not know where the endpoint is, but you must know when to start.
Patience is Key: In a world of instant gratification, building a business requires 'present-moment' patience. Stay focused on the current step.
Validate Through Utility: Every product must be validated by its service. Ask: Does this actually help someone save money or time?

Resilience in the Time of COVID-19

Yash’s journey wasn't without personal hurdles. He contracted COVID-19 during the early waves, an experience that taught him the value of family support and traditional resilience. "It forces you to stay calm and fight," he notes. This period of isolation was also a time for introspection, leading him to plan for his next big goal: a product focused on "mind-shifting" and "growth" to help people deal with their own mental and emotional hurdles.

Dealbox Strategy

Hyperlocal Focus: Operating currently in key cities with a goal to expand the footprint across India.
Promotional Value: Helping users save consistently on everyday services through curated digital coupons.
Future Vision: Transitioning from a deals platform to a holistic growth platform for the Indian youth.

The Future: Beyond the Discount

Yash’s vision for the future is expansive. While Dealbox continues to scale, he is deeply interested in how technology can transform the human psyche. He plans to launch audio and visual programs designed to help people transform their mindsets and deal with the " struggle" of modern life. "Success is great, but understanding the struggle behind it is what makes a leader," he says.

His message to the potential entrepreneurs of India is one of self-reliance: "India is transforming. Don't be stuck to one idea. Be open, observe the world, and believe that you can create something of your own. The world will back you up when they see you trust yourself."