Monica Kanwar: Pioneering Informed Real Estate Investments with Propchill

Monica Kanwar‘s journey into the world of real estate entrepreneurship began with a personal realization – the need for an informed platform that empowers buyers to make sound property investment decisions. In a world cluttered with real estate brokers, she found herself navigating the labyrinth of Delhi’s property market and investing in Gurgaon with no prior experience in the field. This ordeal sowed the seeds of ‘Propchill.com,’ a revolutionary platform dedicated to providing buyers with comprehensive property analysis, comparisons, and expert advice.

Monica, along with her husband, embarked on a real estate rollercoaster when they tried to sell their ancestral property in Delhi. The relentless pursuit of brokers seeking their share of the pie left them disheartened. They later encountered a similarly challenging experience when investing in property in Gurgaon. This series of daunting real estate encounters led Monica to realize that despite the overwhelming amount of data available online, there was no single resource providing analysis, comparisons, or conclusive suggestions to aid property buyers. It was this realization that germinated the idea for Propchill, a platform designed to empower buyers with informed choices in their property investments.

The Propchill team began working on their vision in October 2013, eventually opening their office in February 2014. The platform was built on the premise of enabling property buyers to make educated decisions by offering comprehensive comparisons, ratings, and expert advice.

Monica Kanwar’s entrepreneurial journey was marked by several unique challenges. In a field traditionally dominated by men, women in real estate often struggle to be taken seriously. Monica experienced this firsthand, with initial skepticism about her suitability in real estate advisory roles. There was a prevalent stereotype that women were indecisive and couldn’t fit into the real estate sector. Additionally, attracting IT professionals to join a startup was a hurdle. Most preferred established companies over startups. Monica and her husband faced the challenge of grooming a team from scratch, as professionals were hesitant to join an unproven venture. The journey made it clear that it takes time and hard work for women to be recognized as capable leaders in the real estate sector.

Monica Kanwar’s background as a science graduate with knowledge of computer programming languages and her experience as a teacher set the stage for her journey into entrepreneurship. Frequent transfers due to her husband’s Army career limited her ability to explore a full-fledged career. She spent 15 years teaching at various Army schools and public institutions. Propchill’s evolution took two years of meticulous research and development. The platform was launched in phases, with Phase I introduced in February 2015, followed by Phase II in July 2015. The team at Propchill has conducted property comparisons and ratings for cities such as Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhopal, Indore, Bhiwadi, and Neemrana. Their sights are set on expanding to more cities in the near future.

Monica’s role as Director at Propchill involves visiting specific areas within cities, conducting on-site ground checks, and staying at the location for a week to gather factual information. They undertake in-depth research and homework before finalizing a property review. Currently, their focus is on reviewing apartments.

Monica Kanwar’s journey exemplifies that entrepreneurship is a state of mind, transcending age. Professional experience, maturity, and emotional stability are integral aspects of embarking on a startup journey. These qualities often develop with time and life experiences. Monica hails from Roorkee, Uttarakhand, and her family is based there. While she grew up watching her father manage a pharmaceutical business, she never imagined that she would one day become an entrepreneur herself. Her path to entrepreneurship is a testament to the transformative power of determination, self-confidence, and the willingness to learn from every experience.