Start-up makes a splash
INTERNET
By BiztechAfrica – May 24, 2012, 11:28 a.m.
By Alfonce Mbizwo, Harare, Zimbabwe
After launching on the 10th of May, Whenpages has already made a splash in its short lifetime as a start-up with global potential, and has attracted the attention of Silicon Valley.
Whenpages is a global time based platform for creating, sharing and discovering events, present and in future developed by Tendai Joe, a Zimbabwean now based in South Africa.
“The site focuses on publicising location events around the world and focuses on user-generated content that can then be shared on leading social networks like Facebook and Twitter for additional exposure and reach,” Joe told Biztechafrica.
While anyone can create an event for free, primary content contributors naturally include artists, event planners, venue owners and marketing and PR companies who can choose from a selection of 18 categories in which to place their content.
“When people find something in common between them, communities are built. Whenpages would like to connect people using events that happen around them,” said Joe.
“We have realised the power of a single event or isolated events that can bring people together. Hence our emphasis on a time based platform, unlike other start-ups. We also have business model that we wish to implement after the Public Beta phase,” he says.
“We are currently adding some interesting features and functions that will maximum user experience on the platform. We managed to reach 10 000 Page views within the first three days of launching the site. Our vision to growth that number 10-fold within the next three months, when we finish making necessary changes on the site.”
The process of uploading or discovering events on Whenpages involves a simple six step process with a friendly user-interface. Once a user registers using the simple registration process and created a profile page with photo and wall that streams recent activity, events and recent pages, the user gain access into the Live Blogging feature, events, other users and recommended events.
Joe says they are also developing mobile apps that will compliment the site and help users discover events on the go.
“The Mobile Apps are also coming with chat capabilities, to help create conversations around events,” he said.
In future, Whenpages is looking into integrating the live blog function with event creation which will automatically generate a live blog with every event uploaded that just needs activation. The platform will also be focusing on the mobile site.
“We have already been approached by at least two Silicon Valley investors, which shows are that we are building something people are looking forward to. Although we have been facing challenges in terms of resources, we look forward to see Whenpages becoming a serious player in the tech start up scene not only in Africa, but across the world.”
