Offer Moments triumphs at Venturefest
TWO Manchester tech entrepreneurs, who have come up with a new way for retailers to target shoppers, won the main prize at Business Growth Hub’s Venturefest event this week.
Abdul Alim and Shahzad Mughal triumphed at the event’s innovation showcase for their Offer Moments app which allows retailers to send details of offers and other information to pedestrians via bluetooth as they walk past.
The app, which relies on Apple’s iBeacon transmitting technology, has already attracted the attention of major brands and the pair have meetings lined up with Starbucks, Burger King, Greggs and Subway.
The pair both work in software development and have self-funded the project, although they are now looking for around £100,000 to take it forward. By winning at Venturefest they have picked up £30,000 worth of free advice and services from the likes of law firm Stephenson’s, Hurst’s Accountants.
Mr Alim, who worked on the development of Capita’s system for the London congestion charge, said: “Offer Moment send out an offer that’s relevant to you, it integrates your profile and knows you want, say, a blue blazer or size 9 shoes, and it will let you know what’s in stock. We’re trying to create ‘frictionless’ shopping – it will integrate with Applepay or PayPal so somebody could pay and continue walking.”
Offer Moments was originally developed for small retailers to try and increase footfall and it first went live in Rusholme’s Curry Mile, but Mr Alim said it has been embraced by bigger businesses.
“We did a pitch to JD Williams and the first thing they said was, ‘how quickly can you get this in’.”
Speakers at the event included Brother’s managing director Phil Jones, futurologist Tom Cheesewright and vice chancellor of Manchester University Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell.
