VConnect
 | |
| Type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Area served | Nigeria |
| Industry | Local Search Engine, Business Directory |
| Website | www.vconnect.com |
| Alexa rank |
 7,482(January 2014)[1] |
| Available in | English |
| Launched | 8 March 2011 |
VConnect is a local search engine and an information service provider company located at Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. VConnect Global Services Ltd., founded in 2010, provides information about various products, services and companies in Nigeria.
About The Company
VConnect.com was founded by Tolaram group represented by Mr. Deepankar Rustagi and performs in the capacity of General Manager of the company. Mr. Rustagi felt that there was a need for creating local search engine that can provide information to users. He launched VConnect.com on 8 March 2011. VConnect is a part of Tolaram Group, which is headquartered in Singapore. VConnect.com has spent $1 Million[2] on business data gathering and optimization and currently employs more than 125 people. Around 800,000[3] businesses are listed on its website. VConnect is also recognized as "Hottest Tech Startup in Africa" by Forbes[4] Magazine.
Services
People can obtain local information from VConnect using web, mobile and tele search.
Phone
In order to obtain information, people can use their telesearch (07000008888) service which is available throughout Nigeria.
Internet
VConnect's website provides information on local businesses across states and LGAs. The search can be classified as product, service brand, category or business. It also provides the 'Post Your Requirement' service where users can request the information they require regarding any service in Nigeria.[5]
SMS
In 2011, VConnect introduced SMSConnect, using which users can send a fixed number of free SMSes per day on any GSM network.[6]
Mobile Applications | Android, Blackberry & iOS
VConnect launched mobile applications[7] for Android,Blackberry & iOS platform in 2013. It allows users to find local businesses on the go and uses GPS to track their location to find nearest businesses. Users can locate businesses using maps and navigate there via "Get Direction" feature. One Can find best businesses in town based on users ratings and reviews, mark them as their favorite and get latest feeds. This app allows users to get quotation from different suppliers using "Get suppliers" feature.
Awards & Achievements
- VConnect was awarded the 2011 RIMA Foundation Award as ‘Personalised Information Product of the Year.’[8]
- According to Alexa, VConnect is the fastest growing web portal in Nigeria.[9]
- VConnect was awarded the Best Resources website of 2012 by The Nigerian Events Awards[10]
- VConnect won the Best Mobile Information product recognition award by RIMA Foundation 2013 [11]
Video
- VConnect posted a video online on YouTube called "VConnect Fever Video : You Go Connect" which has over 2 Million views.[12]
- VConnect posted a video of their first official Flash Mob in Nigeria[13]
References
- ↑ "VConnect.com Site Info". Alexa. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
- ↑ "We have spent over N157million to optimize data VConnect Co-founder". Sun News Online. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ↑ "VConnect powers 800,000 SMEs online". Vanguard Nigeria. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ↑ "VConnect.com Is One Of Africa's Hottest Tech Startups". Forbes. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
- ↑ "VConnect Launches Post Your Requirement Service". The Guardian. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ↑ "VConnect offers users free SMS". The Guardian. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ↑ "Your phone as shopping mall with Mobile app". Vanguard. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ↑ "VConnect wins 'Personalized Information Product' award". The Guardian. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ↑ "VConnect emerges Nigeria's Fastest growing web portal". Nigerian Bulletin. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ↑ "Nigerian Event Awards". Naijalife. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ↑ "VConnect wins mobile information product recognition at RIMA Awards". HumanIPO. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ↑ "VConnect takes two million SMEs to YouTube". The Guardian. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ↑ "VConnect attracts 2 million SMEs to Youtube". The Punch. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
External links
- VConnect Official Website of VConnect
- Youtube VConnect Fever Video : You Go Connect
- VConnect Android App VConnect Android Application on Google Play
- VConnect Blackberry App VConnect Blackberry Application on Blackberry World
- VConnect mention on Forbes VConnect.com Is One Of Africa's Hottest Tech Startups