Home
/
Cases
/
How Setu Built a B2B Marketplace Connecting Global Retailers with Indian Manufacturers

How Setu Built a B2B Marketplace Connecting Global Retailers with Indian Manufacturers

Setu is a B2B marketplace created to connect global retailers with Indian manufacturers.

The idea emerged from a simple observation: while India is home to millions of high-quality manufacturers and artisans, many struggle to access international markets due to fragmented distribution channels, limited visibility, and the complexity of cross-border trade. At the same time, independent retailers often face challenges when sourcing internationally, from finding reliable suppliers to managing logistics and international transactions.

We built Setu to solve this problem by creating a trusted B2B marketplace that simplifies global sourcing. Our goal is to make international trade as seamless as local commerce by bringing discovery, trust, payments, and logistics into a single platform.

Harsh Chauhan
Founder of Setu

Today, Setu focuses on helping international buyers source products directly from verified Indian manufacturers while simplifying the operational complexity of cross-border commerce.

The Challenge

Launching a B2B marketplace involves more than simply creating an online storefront.
Setu needed a platform that could support multiple manufacturers, facilitate direct relationships between suppliers and retailers, and provide the flexibility required for international trade. The team also had to consider vendor onboarding workflows, payment processing, logistics, and future scalability.

Before making a decision, Setu evaluated several marketplace and eCommerce platforms, including Shopify, Sharetribe, and Yo!Kart.

However, the team found that many alternatives would require additional development or extensive customization to support their marketplace model.

Why Setu Chose CS-Cart

According to Harsh, one of the main reasons for selecting the CS-Cart solution was the availability of marketplace functionality out of the box.

One of the key reasons we chose CS-Cart was that it provided most of the marketplace functionality we needed out of the box. This allowed us to launch without extensive backend development and focus our resources on tailoring the platform to our business rather than building core marketplace features from scratch.

Harsh Chauhan
Founder of Setu

The maturity of the platform also played an important role in the decision.

We also valued the fact that CS-Cart has been around for nearly two decades. As an early-stage company, building on a mature and proven platform gave us confidence that we were making a long-term technology decision rather than constantly worrying about platform stability and support.

Harsh Chauhan
Founder of Setu

For a startup building a marketplace from the ground up, reducing technical risk was just as important as accelerating time to market.

Building the Marketplace

The implementation process took approximately five months and involved the founding team and developers working together to design, customize, and launch the platform.

The project included:

Marketplace planning and business model design
Vendor onboarding workflow creation
Frontend customization and branding
Payment and logistics integrations
Testing and quality assurance
Manufacturer onboarding and launch preparation

Rather than building marketplace functionality from scratch, the team focused on adapting CS-Cart to their specific business requirements and creating a streamlined experience for manufacturers and retailers.

Customizations and Integrations

To support its business model, Setu implemented several integrations and customizations, including:

Razorpay for payment processing
FedEx logistics integration
Custom frontend enhancements
Minimum Order Quantity Per Vendor add-on
A custom Vendor Information add-on developed specifically for Setu

At the same time, several core marketplace capabilities worked well immediately after deployment.

According to Harsh, the most valuable out-of-the-box features included:

Multi-vendor management
Vendor dashboards
User roles and permission controls

These features allowed the team to focus development efforts on business-specific requirements rather than rebuilding essential marketplace functionality.

Entering International Markets

Since launch, Setu has focused on validating demand in Australia and the United States.

These markets were selected because of their strong demand for products sourced directly from Indian manufacturers and their suitability for testing the company's marketplace model.

Through retailer outreach and ongoing customer discovery efforts, the team continues to refine its understanding of buyer needs in both regions.

Early Results

As a young marketplace, Setu is currently focused on onboarding manufacturers, strengthening platform capabilities, and validating international demand rather than maximizing transaction volume.

Current progress includes:

44 verified manufacturers onboarded
More than 2,200 products listed
Australia and the United States established as target markets
Average order value target of approximately ₹11,000

The company remains in its pre-revenue stage while continuing to expand its supplier network and marketplace capabilities.

Our current priority is building a trusted sourcing ecosystem that connects global buyers with reliable Indian manufacturers before scaling transaction volume.

Harsh Chauhan
Founder of Setu

Feedback from Manufacturers and Retailers

Feedback from marketplace participants has been encouraging.

Manufacturers appreciate the opportunity to access international markets without investing heavily in export infrastructure, overseas sales teams, or marketing activities.

Retailers value the ability to discover suppliers more efficiently, compare offerings, and establish direct sourcing relationships.

Users have also highlighted the platform's ease of use and its focus on simplifying cross-border sourcing.

What's Next for Setu

Over the next 6–12 months, the company plans to:

Expand its manufacturer network across India
Increase international retailer acquisition
Enter additional geographic markets
Improve platform automation and user experience
Launch new B2B sourcing and procurement tools
Strengthen logistics and fulfillment capabilities

The long-term vision is to become the preferred platform for international retailers sourcing products from India.

Custom Development

System Integrations

Want the same results?

Ready to bring your custom eCommerce project to life? Get in touch with us — we will help you build, launch, and scale a high-performing solution.

Our Services

Custom Marketplace Development

CS-Cart helps ambitious eCommerce brands build marketplaces with the flexibility to adapt and the scalability to thrive. From your first launch to international expansion, you stay in control — with open-code access, powerful vendor management, and infrastructure that grows with your business.

Custom Online Store Development

Amplify your online presence with feature-rich applications for eCommerce. We build high-performance, user-friendly and conversion-based web and mobile online stores and hypermarkets that attract and retain customers.

Let's Discuss Your Project

Describe your ideas or specific tasks. We will find the best solution together

sales@cs-cart.com