Let’s delve into the journey of Finderbridge Tourism, founded by Himangshu Baruah, and how he made it one of the top tourism startups in Northeast India without prior experience in entrepreneurship.
Bhaswati Kalita
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“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known”
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known,” and Himangshu Baruah, a college student back in 2016, felt it deeply. Himangshu is basically from Tezpur, Assam, and was studying at Pondicherry University. It was his first time staying out of Assam, and he found out that people there are not much aware of Assam and Northeast India.
This gap hit Himangshu hard, and soon he started to think about it. Eventually he started Finderbridge Tourism, not just as a startup but as a mission to promote the incredible beauty, rich culture, and heritage of Assam and Northeast India.
Image: Himangshu Baruah, founder and CEO of Finderbridge spending time with adorable childrens in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
Let’s embrace the journey of Himanghshu Baruah and Finderbridge Tourism, how it was started, and how it turned into a profitable startup.
The Birth of Finderbridge: A Journey of Trial and Error
Once the problem was identified, Himangshu started to dig into the problem. His research revealed a lack of online information about Northeast India. To fulfill this gap, he wanted to create something unique and innovative, like a travel-based social media app, a digital space for travelers to share experiences and recommendations.
However, after multiple rounds of trial and error, he pivoted his business model, learning valuable lessons from his own mistakes. With unwavering determination, Himangshu dedicated himself entirely to his work—sleeping less, working tirelessly, and constantly iterating on his business strategy.
Over the time, this idea evolved into “Finderbridge”—a bridge connecting Northeast India to the world. Initially it was started with a team of four, but since 2018, Himanghsu Baruah, the founder and CEO, has been running the company alone. He worked tirelessly, handling everything on his own. By June 2024, he had only two team members. Today, his team has grown to ten members.
Kick-starting Finderbridge with Scholarship Money
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, funding was a challenge. Himangshu’s initial capital came from his scholarship money. Instead of spending it on personal luxuries, he invested it into building the startup with his friends.
This bootstrapped approach gave the startup a strong foundation and financial discipline, avoiding unnecessary expenses and focusing on revenue-generating opportunities from the start.
Also read: Qoptars: Founded by two College dropouts from Assam, making the first autonomous drone in India
Early Marketing Strategies: Leveraging Social Media
Himangshu started by promoting Finderbridge through WhatsApp groups and personal networks. His keen understanding of social media marketing became a game-changer, helping him craft compelling content that attracted a large audience.
His first client came from Twitter, proving the effectiveness of digital marketing. Over time, Finderbridge mastered the art of content marketing and social media storytelling, creating a strong brand presence online.
Finderbridge’s Impact & Achievements
Finderbridge provides immersive and well-equipped travel experiences, allowing visitors to explore the region’s hidden beauty. It ensures seamless and enriching journeys for travelers, making Northeast India a must-visit destination.
The company also offers advanced marketing and branding solutions for tourism stakeholders. This helps businesses and destinations expand their reach and enhance their visibility in the competitive travel industry.
For its impactful efforts to revolutionize Northeast India’s tourism sector, the company has been:
- Recognized by DPIIT, Government of India & Startup India
- Selected by Startup India to represent India at Expand North Star 2024 in Dubai
- The first Indian company to showcase Northeast India tourism at Times Square, New York
- Invited to showcase Northeast India at Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav 2024 at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad
- A nominee at the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2022
Finderbridge’s Rise to Success
Finderbridge, under Himangshu’s leadership, grew to become one of the leading travel startups in Northeast India. The startup was nominated as the Best Travel Startup of India at the Entrepreneur Awards 2019 and won the Young Entrepreneur Category at the Indian Achiever’s Award 2021.
Unlike many startups chasing VC funding, Himangshu has consciously chosen to retain 90% equity, prioritizing quality over quick expansion. Himangshu has built a profitable startup with a robust B2B and B2C business model.The company has built strong relationships with first-party and second-party service providers. Finderbridge has also partnered with Zostel, Mahindra, and other global brands, acting as their local Northeast India partner.
Financial Growth
Finderbridge’s revenue growth has been phenomenal. Over the last three years, the company has generated a total revenue of INR 3.5 crore. This year, it is projected to achieve a revenue of INR 2 crore, with expectations to reach INR 5 crore in the financial year 2025-26.
Instead of focusing on net profit figures, the founder emphasizes profit growth percentage, which has shown remarkable year-over-year increases. This highlights the company’s strong market demand and customer retention strategies, ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability.
Expanding Beyond Tourism: Destination Weddings in Northeast India
Recognizing emerging trends, Finderbridge has ventured into destination weddings, an industry with immense potential. The company has already successfully organized two destination weddings, with four more in the pipeline. This diversification showcases Finderbridge’s adaptability and ability to seize new market opportunities.
The Secret Behind Finderbridge’s Success
Himangshu attributes Finderbridge’s success to design, content, and social media reach. By creating highly engaging visuals, compelling storytelling, and strategic marketing campaigns, Finderbridge has positioned itself as a market leader.
- Finderbridge has the highest Instagram engagement for Northeast India tourism.
- HIGHEST LIKED AND REACHED POST about Northeast India on Instagram:
- Likes: 1.2M
- Comments: 3.4K
- Finderbridge’s digital reach in 2024: 94.3 million+ impressions
- Worldwide travelers: 2,034
- Online travel community: 1,28,050 members
- Finderbridge is the highest-followed tourism organization in Northeast India with 70,000+ organic followers and an average monthly viewership of 50 lakhs to 1 crore.
A Relentless Work Ethic: The One-Religion Entrepreneur
For Himangshu, there is only one religion—work. His unwavering dedication to his startup and obsession with excellence have made him a leader in the travel industry.
His philosophy? “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” He emphasizes that work culture and commitment drive long-term success over mere strategic planning.
Future Vision
With plans to expand globally, Finderbridge aims to make Northeast India an accessible and unforgettable destination for travelers worldwide. The company is investing in technology, AI-driven customer experiences, and global partnerships to solidify its place as a top-tier travel brand.
Endnotes
As Himangshu Baruah says, “Resilience and failures are the foundation of true success. I believe resilience is not just about surviving—it’s about rising, learning, and leading with grace.”
His journey—from investing his scholarship money to building a multi-crore business—is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and strategic growth. Finderbridge is more than a business; it is a movement to place Northeast India on the global tourism map. His story isn’t just an inspiration—it’s a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Bhaswati Kalita is a business analyst and storyteller with years of experience in business operations, management, and marketing. She is an engineering graduate and started her professional career as an operations manager in a tech company. To follow her passion as a storyteller, she loves to write business articles and stories. Reach her at bhaswati@diversityassam.com.
