Meet the Entrepreneurs
nLocate November 2013
Mobile Innovation
CONTACT INFORMATION
nLocate
Helping customers locate and identify local businesses
Deepen Chapagain, Founder, Nepal
CHALLENGE In Nepal, formal addresses are non-existent; there are neither street names nor street numbers. This makes it very difficult and time-consuming to identify or search for specific destinations. Businesses find it very hard to describe how to arrive at their specific location, resulting in confused consumers and lower sales. Individuals face challenges when they try to meet up at a new location that not everyone knows. These problems are especially prevalent in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital and largest city.
“I WANTED TO VISIT A FRIEND’S WEDDING; HOWEVER, I COULD NOT FIND THE VENUE NOR COULD HE EXPLAIN TO ME EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS.”
Kathmandu, Nepal +977-1-4785639
deepen@nepways.com
www.nlocate.com /nLocate
@nLocate
BUSINESS MODEL nLocate has created a platform where businesses can easily share valuable information with current and potential customers including addresses, business descriptions, special offers, and other relevant information. When nLocate was first launched, media coverage attracted the first clients. Now nLocate promotes itself at exhibitions and uses word of mouth to expand its customer and user base. Initially, businesses can add basic information, such as their physical location, to the nLocate listing for free. Companies must pay subscription fees once they decide to change or modify their information on a frequent basis: the yearly subscription is USD50, a six-month-subscription is USD25, and a three-month-subscription is USD18. Larger businesses are able to negotiate subscription fees. Businesses are charged additionally for viewing nLocate’s analytical reports related to the business.
IDEA nLocate’s founder, Deepen Chapagain, realized that the lack of an address system was a major challenge for city dwellers and businesses. Thus, in March 2011, Deepen developed the first prototype of nLocate, which provided information, including locations, for a limited number of businesses and cash machines. He launched the prototype to a group of 50 friends. The pilot was a great success: users had a very positive experience, which they then shared through feedback to Deepen and others. This led Deepen to develop additional features, test new prototypes, and finally release the application to the public in December 2012.
“IN THE BEGINNING, I ONLY LAUNCHED THE APPLICATION TO A LIMITED GROUP OF FRIENDS; AFTER A FEW WEEKS, THINGS GOT OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE THERE WAS SUCH A LARGE DEMAND.”
www.infodev.org
twitter: @infoDev
ENTREPRENEUR’S INSIGHTS • BE OPEN TO CONSTRUCTIVE AND CRITICAL FEEDBACK: Feedback will help validate and modify your idea so it can be more successful in the future. • BE PATIENT AND TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP YOUR IDEA: Moving too fast on an idea can result in wasted efforts. Take time to think about how your idea will work, craft a strategy, and assess your challenges and opportunities. • BE PASSIONATE AND DETERMINED: Be passionate about your idea and possess absolute determination to launch it as a business.
NEXT STEPS
WORKING WITH MOBILE NEPAL
Expand user base and number of businesses listed on nLocate directory Make nLocate the number one application for navigation and business information needs in Nepal Improve the quantity and quality of information available through nLocate analytical reports
• MOBILE NEPAL, infoDev’S LOCAL mHub, ENABLED nLocate to build a strong network in the mobile innovation industry; nLocate was able to obtain access to application developers that provided guidance throughout the development and design stages of nLocate, resulting in a successful application prototype. • nLocate WAS ABLE TO LEVERAGE MOBILE NEPAL’S BRAND and reputation to attract and build meaningful relationships with businesses clients.
“MOBILE NEPAL HELPED nLocate TO RECEIVE SUFFICIENT MEDIA COVERAGE SO THAT BUSINESSES AND USERS GOT INTERESTED IN OUR APPLICATION.”
• THROUGHOUT THE PIVOT NEPAL COMPETITION IN APRIL 2013, Mobile Nepal provided nLocate with mentorship and training on business management, such as risk analysis. Winning the Pivot Nepal Competition gave nLocate the necessary public exposure.
KEY OUTCOMES VALUE FOR USERS Reducing the information gap: nLocate keeps users aware of physical addresses, allowing them to find important locations much faster. Increased foot traffic for business owners: Since customers will know how to find a specific business, fewer will get lost and more will be visiting businesses’ physical locations. Facilitating efficient exchange of communication between business and consumer: Businesses are able to share more opportunities and information about themselves with consumers.
BUSINESS FACTS INVESTMENT ATTRACTED
USD30,000
PAYING CUSTOMERS
7 large organizations, 50 SMEs
USERS REACHED
40,000 - 50,000
BUSINESSES LISTED
10,000
JOBS CREATED
8
Supported by:
www.infodev.org
twitter: @infoDev