Startup Model – Phone Support Made Easy

THE MODEL: A startup which offers businesses phone numbers instantly in over 40 countries. No deskphone or hardware is required. Everything is managed through an app.

STARTUP: Aircall (French startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – An app making phone support and collaboration easy.

Features – Users can install and setup the app in a few minutes. Local phone numbers from over 40 countries can be selected by users. Collaboration features such as call cascading across available people, shared contacts, transfer call to teammates, support ticket management and analytics are provided.

Integration- The app can be integrated with popular apps such as Slack, Hubspot, Zapier, Zoho etc.

Free Trial – Users can try the service for free for 7 days, before upgrading to paid plans.

CONCERNS

Competition – The startup will need to compete with established players in the phone support market. These may not be app based necessarily, but have a large customer base and have been in existence for long now.

Startup Model – Accessing Digital Content While Messaging

THE MODEL: A startup which lets users access and share their digital content like photos, documents, calendar etc. while messaging, without having to switch apps.

STARTUP: Thingthing (British startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A smart messaging tool where users can access all their digital content.

Features – Users can access their important files while messaging without having to switch apps. Also the app offers smart text auto correction, prediction and editing features which makes the user experience great.

Integration- The app can be integrated with most popular social networks and file sharing websites such as Facebook, Instagram, your Camera Roll, Dropbox, Google Drive, Calendar and so on. This ensures that the user need not switch to any other app to share any of his/her digital content.

CONCERNS

Competition – The startup competes with other messaging apps. Messaging is a space which has some very big players and making an inroad will be difficult. Also these players have a very strong user base and can build these features, if not protected by IP.

Startup Model – Mobile Based Brain Training

THE MODEL: A startup which combines tech, gaming, education and science to let users challenge their cognitive skills and train their brain in a healthy and fun environment.

STARTUP: Peak (British startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A brain training platform for users using a mobile phone.

The Brain Gym – Users are given brain workouts in the form of small games which they need to complete on a daily basis. This makes the app interesting and keeps its users engaged. Users can assess themselves, set goals and workout.

Training Plans – The plans are designed in collaboration with leading scientists and universities.

Freemium Model – The startup has a professional plan which is chargeable and gives users access to all training plans and features of the app.

CONCERNS

Creating the Need – The startup is trying to create a need and lifestyle for users. With time being a scarce resource for most, acquiring new users would be a difficult task.

Startup Model – Doing More With Your Contacts

THE MODEL: A mobile app that lets users create, organize and communicate with their contacts in ways which were not possible before. The app empowers users to do more in less time with its various features.

STARTUP: Interact (American startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A platform for users to do more with their contacts in less time and with less effort.

Product Features – Users can create and manage groups with features like group management, one tap contact creation etc. They can create new contacts easily using natural language parsing. Users can contact individuals or groups with a single tap and can also share files, images and text via email and messages.

Multi Platform – The app works across the iPhone & the iPad. Also the app enables users to use their contacts with a growing list of third party apps.

CONCERNS

Product Limitations – Currently the product has certain limitations such as not working well with older iOS devices or with very large number of contacts. Also there are certain issues with Micrsoft Exchange based accounts and Gmail contacts. The app is working to improve on these.

Market Size – Since the app is basically meant for power users, regular users may not want to pay $4.99 for it. Most regular users are satisfied with the inbuilt contacts app and may not feel the need to pay for an upgrade.

Startup Model – Calling App Offering Low Roaming Charges

THE MODEL: An app which allows users to take regular calls to their numbers without paying roaming charges. In order to make a call, the user has to connect to a wi-fi or buy a local sim card with internet connection.

STARTUP: Avo (German startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – Staying in touch around the world with low roaming charges.

Benefits to Users – Users can save money when traveling. Incoming calls are free. Also users can call other Avo users for free.

Pricing Plans – The app has price plans based on the usage of the customer. Call charges are fixed for a particular destination, no matter where you are calling from.

CONCERNS

Competition – Calling apps have been there for ages now. With no real differentiator, the startup faces an uphill journey.

Startup Model – Sharing Personalized Content

THE MODEL: An app which makes it possible to put information, offers and media in front of users based on the location and interests of the user. Users receive information from establishments close to them. Also users can follow places to get updates from them.

STARTUP: Bubbal (Scottish startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A personal discovery and publishing app for users.

Strong Use Cases – Users can receive the latest offers and information from close by joints. Also users can follow places to keep receiving updates from them.

Better Conversion Rates for Joints – Since a user receives a message of a joint closeby or one which is followed by the user, conversions tend to be higher.

CONCERNS

Competition – Apps based on local discovery of deals and information would be potential competitors.

Startup Model – Mobile App Discovery Platform Connecting Creators with Publishers

THE MODEL: A platform which connect content creators and agencies with publishers. The former want to share and market their content. The latter are looking to earn money by helping the former.

STARTUP: GeenApp (Spanish startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A DIY platform for connecting advertisers and publishers is great as this is currently done through digital agencies mostly.

Good Service for Advertisers – Since the platform is DIY, all information is transparent. You can view and select campaigns which may be most suitable for you. Also the app provides you with analytics and support to review and improve your performance.

CONCERNS

Competition – A lot of digital ad agencies offer affiliate marketing as service. Having established relationships with clients, they will act as strong competition for the app.

Startup Model – Creating & Distributing Rich Mobile Advertising Solutions

THE MODEL: An innovative mobile advertising platform for creating advertisements and placing them on targeted devices. It is an end-to-end solution for mobile advertisers to deliver innovative solutions to targeted devices and improve ad metrics.

STARTUP: Smadex (Spanish startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – End to end solution for mobile advertisers.

Comprehensive – The service is a complete solution for mobile advertisers. All ad formats are supported on the platform.

DIY – Advertisers can create native, state of the art advertisements including video ads.