A weekend visit to Little India often reveals bustling crowds, from shoppers at Tekka Market to tourists soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. However, for many smaller Indian businesses in Singapore – including hidden eateries, unique costume jewellery stores, and burgeoning home-based enterprises – visibility is no longer solely dependent on foot traffic or loyal patrons. Increasingly, their survival hinges on appearing prominently in online searches.
Recognizing this critical shift, Mr. Kumaravelu P, 44, made a significant decision three years ago: he left a high-paying multinational corporation (MNC) job to dedicate himself to building Tekka.sg. This digital discovery platform aims to significantly enhance the online presence of traditional Indian merchants, home-based operators, and small-scale entrepreneurs across Singapore.
According to Mr. Kumaravelu, "traditional businesses" encompass owner-operated or family-run establishments, those with limited or no established digital footprint, and businesses that primarily rely on physical footfall, word-of-mouth referrals, or an existing customer base.
Launched on February 28th, Tekka.sg has set an ambitious goal: to list 500 businesses by Deepavali in November. Currently, the platform features approximately 120 businesses, with another 100 expected to join by the end of June. As of May 5th, the diverse selection includes 27 food and beverage businesses, 30 fashion merchants, 49 lifestyle businesses, and six household businesses, alongside 67 home-based enterprises.
Mr. Kumaravelu, the driving force behind Tekka.sg, has largely funded the platform's development, technology solutions, and initial events through personal savings, angel investments from friends, and returns from previous ventures. To sustain himself during this intensive period, he took on part-time consulting roles for start-ups and even worked part-time as a Grab driver.
The website's user-friendly landing page features four intuitive categories: "eats," "wear," "life," and "home." Each clickable category directs users to a curated list of featured businesses and a comprehensive collection of all related merchants. While the platform draws its name and inspiration from Tekka and Little India, it proudly features Indian and Indian-facing businesses from across the entire island, not just those within the precinct.
Traditional Businesses Face Digital Hurdles
Tekka.sg joins a growing trend of community-led digital platforms, similar to Tiong Bahru Kakis, launched earlier this year, which connects residents with local businesses. The genesis of Tekka.sg stems from the observation that while consumers have rapidly become "search-first and mobile-first," many traditional businesses have struggled to keep pace with this digital evolution.
Mr. Kumaravelu emphasizes that this challenge is rarely due to a resistance to technology itself. Instead, it often arises from practical barriers such as lower digital literacy, limited financial resources, and severe time constraints faced by owner-operated businesses. These factors collectively hinder their ability to establish and maintain a robust online presence.
To overcome these obstacles, the Tekka.sg team employs a hands-on approach. Rather than relying on impersonal social media campaigns or emails, they visit merchants directly at their shops, providing in-person assistance to set up their listings on the platform. This personalized support helps bridge the digital knowledge gap.
The platform operates on a "freemium" model. Basic verified listings are currently offered at no cost, making it accessible to all businesses. Future plans include introducing paid tiers that will provide additional visibility and dedicated business pages for those seeking enhanced features.
Success Stories: Empowering Businesses Old and New
Among the established names featured on Tekka.sg is Jothi Store and Flower Shop, a beloved Little India institution renowned for its exquisite flowers, traditional items, and a wide array of Indian merchandise. Founded in 1960, the business joined Tekka.sg in April 2026.
Mr. Regunarth Thyagarajan, director of sister company Jothi Impex and an authorized spokesperson for Jothi Store, explained their motivation: "We wanted our presence there to serve as a role model for other businesses, as we are pioneers in Little India." He noted that the platform has successfully directed more traffic to their store's website and praised its search function as being "like yellow pages for Indian businesses at your fingertips."
Tekka.sg has also proven invaluable for smaller and home-based businesses. Ms. Aysha Iqbal, 43, founder of ABCs of Tamil, which creates Tamil educational resources for children aged two to 12, joined the platform shortly after its launch. Her business, primarily online for about 12 years, also runs pop-up booths at schools and events since 2018.
"My business mainly caters to the Indian population and I felt like this is a great portal to be on," she stated. Ms. Iqbal has already observed an increase in new customers and inquiries since joining, highlighting the platform's effectiveness in connecting her with potential clients.
"It’s been beneficial as it’s been easier for potential customers to find businesses like me and they can get in touch right away," she added. Similarly, Ms. Neelambigai, 40, who operates events company GN888, reported an increase in food orders and valuable networking opportunities since joining the platform on its launch day. Her business, which began as a home-based saree and catering service, has since expanded to include an office space.
For Ms. Aysha, Tekka.sg represents more than just a business directory. "I also see the portal as a way to unite us with the Tekka spirit that many of us grew up with," she concluded, underscoring the platform's role in fostering community and preserving cultural identity.