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.”
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