Meet with this excellent Gripr from Kutch-Based Author to ensure your best grip on your handheld device

Blackberry loyalist Ronak Jangid, the founder of Kutch based startup Author Form, got hands on android touchscreen phones later than the most. While trying to adopt android ways, he remembers his struggle to type a message on that phone using one hand. The struggle worsened while travelling on a bus and he had to reply back to an important message. That was the mother of his invention. However, initially Ronak was skeptical if providing a kind of ‘grip’ at the back of the phone would better the condition. 

First, he built a stand compatible with any phone with or without a case. It served both the purposes of providing a secure grip, and doubled as a stand as well. He curated the first wooden prototype for his sister. Eventually her college teachers and friends wanted the same for themselves.

That was when Author Form was conceived in 2016. The startup then started designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling the mobile grip stand, which he named Gripr .The startup also has a line of products waiting in the prototype stage- a laptop stand, lap desk, sit-stand desk converter, a work chair to name a few. The common factor threading the products together is the aim for better ergonomics. 

The products were shelved from the house of the bootstrapped startup by the end of 2017. Currently the price of Gripr ranges from Rs. 139 to Rs. 149, and is available on the leading ecommerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart. 

An edge to ergonomics

Ronak tested first set of Griprs by distributing among his family and friends. The convenient equipment soon garnered a product review in an esteemed national daily. What followed was a huge help to Ronak for leveraging a wholesaler network into cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. 

Ronak owes most of his product ideas for his startup to the ergonomic issues he came across while working for his family business. First he tried out using different laptop stands, stools, and chairs, but seemed to be of no help. 

An invention straight out of necessity

Ronak decided to work on his invention even though he did not have a befitting background. He built his skill sets opting for online product design courses on Edxand Coursera. He also learnt 3D modelling by browsing through several free software, and brought the design that had been there in his mind since 2016, to fruition.

While approaching the final step, he made the mould at the Indo-German Tool Room (IGTR) at Ahmedabad (MSME Unit) which he refers to as extremely challenging, as on and off travel to Ahmedabad for 2 complete years was not as easy.

The ABS plastic was the material used and the mould cost Rs 1.55 lakh. The packaging material along with the 3M double sided table was sourced from Ahmedabad.

The final product is manufactured at his home back in Gandhigram and there is a single employee involved.

Market performance & scope

A report shows with increasing number of mobile users, the mobile accessories across Indian market is expected to touch Rs. 252.8 crore within 4 years. The value is supposed to grow by a good 23.4%.

At present, Gripr not only competes with leading brands in India, but also puts mushrooming Chinese products to a good competition. Rohan indicates at Gandhigram as a clear catalyst in case of operational costs. 

About future scopes, Ronak says he has Gripr 2.0 in his mind. Also, a height-adjustable laptop stand, sit-stand desk converter, and ergonomic work sitting system is about to come out from Author Form. The team looks forward to welcome innovation galore keeping the price as competitive as possible, without slipping off the main aim of catering to Indian ergonomic requirements.