Startup of the Day - myWobile

The BizSpark startup of the day is myWobile, based in Singapore. You will find below an interview with Lim Wei Zhi, Business Development Manager of myWobile. All the best to them and congrats for being the startup of the day!

Website: www.mywobile.com.

Interview with Lim Wei Zhi, Business Development Manager of myWobile

Who are you?

Wei Zhi is in charge of myWobile's day to day operations as well as the business side of it. He is also involved in planning and strategizing for myWobile marketing campaigns to create the necessary awareness of myWobile to consumers, developers and advertising partners.

What did you do before creating your company?

Wei Zhi was a freelance consultant to several companies involved in social media before taking on the current position at myWobile. He is also currently a full time student at Temasek Polytechnic.

How did you get the idea? What s the genesis?

We got the idea back in 2005, thinking of a personalized mobile phone which the user can access anything he wants in a virtual world which is based on real life places. Eventually after several refinements and discussions, we evolved to be the current LBS mobile application except for the virtual world element.

What do you sell? What is your company’s mission?

myWobile provides targeted mobile advertising to its customers who are interested to reach out to a wider range of audiences through mobile phones; delivering non-intrusive location based advertisements as according to the mobile user's location and preferences.myWobile also provides an alternative medium for advertisers to broadcast their events to the users via mobile phones more cost effectively. Mission: To redefine convenience for consumers

What is your market?

According to Buzzcity's Campaign Planner statistics, Nokia and Sony Ericsson's total market market share currently stands at 80.75% and myWobile appeals to consumers with these supported handsets who are constantly on-the-go, loves shopping and perhaps even attending events!

Any clients? References? Partners?

* myWobile is currently in partnership talks with Eventshub.sg, CalendarOne - Singapore premier events listing directory.

* myWobile was also featured on The Sunday Times Special Supplement on National Day.

Funding history? VCs? BA?

myWobile was funded by MDA iJam and Azione Capital 2008.

Growth? Internationalization?

Market expansion - various segment or new market, Internalization is a process of making something an integral part of one’s beliefs: get people to accept myWobile.

Are you hiring? If yes, what? Where?

We're opening up positions for Andriod, iPhone and Blacbberry developers. Interested applicants can send the myWobile team their resumes at contact@mywobile.com

How many employees do you have? How many developers?

myWobile has a dedicated team comprising of 5 developers and 1 Business Development Manager. We are expected to open doors for hiring in the late

Which platform are you building on? Why?

myWobile has been successfully rolled out for Nokia S60, S40, Sony Ericsson and Windows Mobile versions. The team is now exploring Blackberry, iPhone and Android, 3rd edition of Nokia Symbian series for future development of myWobile.

Where do you see opportunities today in the Software/internet areas?

Digital advertising has been on the increase since late 2007 because companies are slowly engaging the new media, without losing focus on the traditional media. You have social networks that engages users through the internet and mobile devices which include iPhones, Androids, Blackberry etc. We would say mobile advertising would be the next big thing in Asia following the success of Admob and Buzzcity. IDA and the 3 mobile operators in Singapore have definitely played a very important role in promoting low data plans as well as the fast adoption of Smart Phones which encourage companies to roll out location based services for the masses.

Looking for funding? If yes, how much?

myWobile has submitted for the second round of funding from YES! Startup. The scheme is under review at Azione Capital. myWobile is also looking for private fundings to seek expansion to several other asian countries as well.

What about the BizSpark Program? What do you think?

BizSpark Program has been extremely beneficial for myWobile especially with the access of the developer tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio etc. The program also opens up a platform of networking opportunities with other startups and industry partners for myWobile to partner with for future collaboration.