Just Dial: Plays down foreign ownership
By Sumir Singh

Just Dial describes itself as ‘India’s No. 1 local search engine’. And it does a pretty good job connecting Indians with local business and services.  It has ambitious plans to expand to US. In July, 2009 American Venture Capital firm Sequoia Capital pumped in Rs. 40 crores into Just Dial and a Sequoia MD joined their Board.

Other Just Dial investors are Hong Kong based SAIF Partners and US-based Tiger Global Management.  At least half of Just Dial is owned by foreigners. Just Dial claims it services 400 million Indians using mobile phones and earned Rs. 91 crore last year.

Earlier, Techgoss had reported how Just Dial has published private email addresses of the winners of its competitions on its popular website.

Now a tipster tells us how the Just Dial Competition sends emails to friends and contacts of participants telling them to be a proud Indian and support this ‘original Indian idea’. The email is titled ‘If you can’t find in Google, try Justdial.com’

“
Dear xxxx,

I strongly recommend this website www.justdial.com. It's a world class local search service & I've always found anything I've ever wanted.

You can find info on any company, product, or service in over 240 cities in India.

You can also call them up 24x7, on phone (69999999), a local call in 240 Indian cities.

Ask for anything, you'll get the info on the phone and/or by SMS within 30 secs, and this service is at no cost!

For a change, it's an original Indian idea and an Indian company with world class service, and with a vision to spread all over the world.

Be a proud Indian and forward this to every Indian you know.

Best Wishes,
Xxxxx
“

Just Dial,  you are a good service but you have more than 50 percent foreign ownership and that is okay in today global market.  But it is not quite right to say you are an Indian company or imply your profits will go to Indians.  Okay, now I understand.  Your marketing department has artistic freedom to say anything to make more profit.