 "An app that allows citizens to own a smart address code")
The frustration of explaining your complicated address will soon be a thing of the past, claims Aditya Vuchi, the founder and chief executive officer of Hyderabad-based technology start-up Zippr Private Limited.
His company has developed Zippr, a central location management application that shrinks a lengthy address into an eight-digit alpha-numeric short code (for example BSHY1234).
"When I was in the US, I worked for a start-up called Tribal Fusion, and I realised how a standard address format (the address format in the US is consistent) allows great scale in communications, operations and logistics. Applying that philosophy of a standard format in India meant localising the solution for our needs," he said.
The result is Zippr, founded in May 2013.
In early October 2014, Zippr raised an undisclosed fund, from Indian Angel Network (IAN) and a few other private investors. Right now, its goal is to make Zippr indispensable for everyone. The company will revisit channels for further funding in about 18 months.
How it started
Since its beta launch in December last year, Zippr has had great adoption. Depending on who's asking, Zippr gives a different answer. For instance, it might direct a friend with landmarks, gives a bank the official postal address, and combines the postal address with landmarks for e-commerce and logistics firms.
"The Western countries don't have this inherent problem of complex addresses. In India, where the postal system has not been designed to match the exploding economy, Zippr fits right in," said Aditya.
"One of the pillars of Zippr's solution is privacy. Zippr codes never reveal the owner's identity."
Zippr's smart address is a solution that is only possible in today's digital world. It allows citizens to own the code and ensure that they are able to use it forever.
Available on Android, iOS, and an HTML5 app to work on all other platforms such as Windows and BlackBerry, users can also create and share Zippr on a personal computer. The company has partnered with GVK-EMRI that runs the 108 ambulance service in 16 states. Food delivery companies that have perishable products, too, use Zippr for quick-order taking, instant determination of serviceability and efficient delivery through route optimisation.
While declining to give out specific user numbers and revenue projections, Aditya said Zippr has seen significant traction in the last two to three months with a cent per cent growth in users. It is planning to expand its 12-member team.
The IAN connect
According to Sanjay Mehta, the lead investor from IAN, Zippr is a bold idea that is solving a basic infrastructure issue.
"With me now on board, Aditya will have access to my network of contacts in the business-to-business space. I have invested in 23 start-ups so far. Hence, I will open up Zippr partnering my existing portfolio companies. Overall, IAN as a network has substantial connects to accelerate growth momentum of Zippr. My one role would be to retain the focus on simplicity and listen to the users passionately," Mehta said.
He added that in a few years, Zippr would have a few million active users.
FACT BOX
Year of inception: May 2013
Line of business: Central location management services
Funding: Raised an undisclosed funding, led by Indian Angel Network and a few other private investors, in October 2014
Expert Take: Arun Gupta
As a concept, it is quite interesting and does have potential for success. The business can be viable and scale up. Reliability of the map data is critical towards the efficiency of the solution. I have not come across similar technologies as yet.
There are three areas of challenge for Zippr. One is to take on an age-old behaviour of elucidating addresses to different people in different ways. Second, being able to do this in a manner that does not infringe on the user's privacy. Third, to be a pan-India initiative, Zippr needs to support non-digital formats.
The success of Zippr would be contingent on their ability to find and sustain partnerships with their non-consumer customers. If people can relate to the Zippr code being the next generation address format, the team would have achieved their objective.
His company has developed Zippr, a central location management application that shrinks a lengthy address into an eight-digit alpha-numeric short code (for example BSHY1234).
"When I was in the US, I worked for a start-up called Tribal Fusion, and I realised how a standard address format (the address format in the US is consistent) allows great scale in communications, operations and logistics. Applying that philosophy of a standard format in India meant localising the solution for our needs," he said.
The result is Zippr, founded in May 2013.
In early October 2014, Zippr raised an undisclosed fund, from Indian Angel Network (IAN) and a few other private investors. Right now, its goal is to make Zippr indispensable for everyone. The company will revisit channels for further funding in about 18 months.
How it started
Since its beta launch in December last year, Zippr has had great adoption. Depending on who's asking, Zippr gives a different answer. For instance, it might direct a friend with landmarks, gives a bank the official postal address, and combines the postal address with landmarks for e-commerce and logistics firms.
"The Western countries don't have this inherent problem of complex addresses. In India, where the postal system has not been designed to match the exploding economy, Zippr fits right in," said Aditya.
"One of the pillars of Zippr's solution is privacy. Zippr codes never reveal the owner's identity."
Zippr's smart address is a solution that is only possible in today's digital world. It allows citizens to own the code and ensure that they are able to use it forever.
Available on Android, iOS, and an HTML5 app to work on all other platforms such as Windows and BlackBerry, users can also create and share Zippr on a personal computer. The company has partnered with GVK-EMRI that runs the 108 ambulance service in 16 states. Food delivery companies that have perishable products, too, use Zippr for quick-order taking, instant determination of serviceability and efficient delivery through route optimisation.
While declining to give out specific user numbers and revenue projections, Aditya said Zippr has seen significant traction in the last two to three months with a cent per cent growth in users. It is planning to expand its 12-member team.
The IAN connect
According to Sanjay Mehta, the lead investor from IAN, Zippr is a bold idea that is solving a basic infrastructure issue.
"With me now on board, Aditya will have access to my network of contacts in the business-to-business space. I have invested in 23 start-ups so far. Hence, I will open up Zippr partnering my existing portfolio companies. Overall, IAN as a network has substantial connects to accelerate growth momentum of Zippr. My one role would be to retain the focus on simplicity and listen to the users passionately," Mehta said.
He added that in a few years, Zippr would have a few million active users.
FACT BOX
Year of inception: May 2013
Line of business: Central location management services
Funding: Raised an undisclosed funding, led by Indian Angel Network and a few other private investors, in October 2014
Expert Take: Arun Gupta
As a concept, it is quite interesting and does have potential for success. The business can be viable and scale up. Reliability of the map data is critical towards the efficiency of the solution. I have not come across similar technologies as yet.
There are three areas of challenge for Zippr. One is to take on an age-old behaviour of elucidating addresses to different people in different ways. Second, being able to do this in a manner that does not infringe on the user's privacy. Third, to be a pan-India initiative, Zippr needs to support non-digital formats.
The success of Zippr would be contingent on their ability to find and sustain partnerships with their non-consumer customers. If people can relate to the Zippr code being the next generation address format, the team would have achieved their objective.
Arun Gupta is former chief information officer at Cipla, and former chief technology officer at Shoppers Stop