In the world of parenting, there is a universal truth: kids grow fast, but their gear lasts forever. That “barely-used” stroller gathering dust in the corner isn’t just clutter; to Priyadershita Singh, it’s an untapped economy.
As the Founder of IPF (India Parenting Forum), Priyadershita is leading a massive shift in how Indian parents view consumption. What started as a modest series of WhatsApp groups has exploded into a high-tech marketplace with over 200,000 users, 26,000+ orders, and a recent seed funding boost from Titan Capital.
We sat down with Priyadershita to discuss how she’s solving the “trust deficit” in second-hand shopping and why “recommerce” is the new lifestyle choice for the modern Indian family.
The “Lightbulb Moment” in a WhatsApp Chat
Before it was a sleek app, IPF was a thriving ecosystem of 40 WhatsApp groups. While parents discussed everything from sleep schedules to schools, one behavior stood out. “Our buy-sell groups saw the highest participation,” Priyadershita recalls. “Close to 3,000 parents were active in just three groups. It was clear: parents didn’t just want to talk; they needed a trusted way to move products from one home to another.”
The Math of Sustainable Parenting
For many, “sustainable” sounds expensive. At IPF, it’s the opposite. With 200+ categories, parents are saving 50–70% compared to buying new. But the real magic isn’t just the savings it’s the utility.
“We see parents buying two strollers for the price of one new one one for daily use and a lightweight one for travel,” says Priyadershita.
“Or buying three different types of breast pumps hospital-grade, wearable, and manual all within the budget of a single new unit. IPF isn’t just where you find the cheapest product; it’s where you build a more practical life for your child.”
Solving the “Trust Deficit”
Buying a second-hand crib for a newborn comes with a high emotional stakes. To combat the “trust deficit” found on generic classified sites, IPF has built a multi-layered safety net:
- Deep Transparency: Sellers must answer 10+ category-specific questions and are incentivized to upload videos.
- The 48-Hour Inspection: Unlike typical P2P deals, IPF holds the payment. Buyers have two days to inspect the item. If it’s not as described, the seller doesn’t get paid.
- Video-Led Discovery: Listings with videos sell in nearly half the time. “Video builds confidence faster than any static photo ever could,” Priyadershita explains.
The “Parent-to-Parent” Logistics Hurdle
Building a P2P platform is notoriously difficult because the sellers aren’t professional merchants—they’re busy parents. “A seller might realize they haven’t packed the item yet because the baby is crying, or they’re not at home for pickup,” Priyadershita admits. IPF absorbs this friction through doorstep delivery and a unique “Combo Order” feature, which allows buyers to grab multiple items from one seller in a single box—reducing both shipping costs and the carbon footprint.
Beyond the Metros: A National Behavior
While demand is high in Tier-1 cities, IPF is seeing a fascinating trend in smaller towns. Many young parents are urban migrants who return to their hometowns during the first two years of their child’s life. “We see orders from the Northeast to Jammu & Kashmir,” says Priyadershita. “This isn’t a metro trend; it’s a deeply national behavior.”
The 2026 Vision: The Default Name in Recommerce
With a co-founder like Abhas Mittal bringing a decade of tech expertise from marketplace giants like Flyhomes, IPF is scaling fast. The goal for 2026? Reach 1 crore (10 million) parents and grow order volumes by 20x.
“We want to make IPF the default name in parenting,” Priyadershita concludes. “Recommerce shouldn’t be a fallback. It’s a smarter, eco-conscious lifestyle choice that gives families more value for every rupee spent.”
Android App : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ipforum.ipf
iOS App : https://apps.apple.com/in/app/ipf-buy-sell/id6479560382
Interview by : Kashish Srivastava
