Presentation to M-lab students by Edwin Aseno [M.D] OTB AFRICA
Friday May 27th 2011
Organized by eMobilis
m:lab students listening to Mr.Edwin Aseno [M.D] OTB AFRICA.
Mr. Edwin Seno Managing Director -OTB AFRICA
- -An alumnus of university of Nairobi
- -Started Apps development in the year 2005.
- -Has done a number of projects including development of safaricom web Portal.
- -He also did pioneer in trying Bluetooth applications which failed as the market was worried about viruses etc
1) Not everything you try will be well received even though it is a good idea- be prepared to fail.
2) Try many things- some will work, some won’t.
His company produces products for various verticals: Mobile Enterprise, Mobile Marketing etc. Their Recent product is Jamobi which was shortlisted among the top 25 on pivot25.
Being a guru of mobile development targeting both business solutions and consumer solutions he gave a number of marketing and development strategies towards the target market. This includes:
- -When targeting the end users or mass market simplicity is the best measure e.g. Mpesa
-Need of analyzing the target market to suit the customer’s needs.
-App development monetization to be business oriented.
-Taking skills for commercial purpose.
-Take opportunity while the market still lies green.
Although start-up capital still lies a big challenge to most start-up businesses, developers are urged to:
- -Take advantage of initiative that have arised to offer both tech and incubation facilities e.g. mlab.
- -Show-case your apps to investors in all tech hubs to source funding for your project.
- -Have the basic requirements to pitch your idea e.g website, business documents etc
- -Ensure partnerships with relevant people/companies
- -Pitch your ideas to right people.
- -Encourage networking and talk on tech blog.
- -Determine the time frame to launch your product.
- -Expand your business solutions.
- -Have backups when things get worst.
- -Break down your business solutions to be either as business or consumer solutions.
- -Keep an eye on upcoming technologies and trends .
- -Understand your target audience well
- -Think simplicity for mass market apps
- -Consider Future trends e.g. NFC- Near Field Communications
- -Be prepared to fail – not everything will work
- -Think big and with scalability in mind
- -Sharing your idea is not a bad thing – not everyone is out to get you and steal your idea
- -Have a registered company- it gives the semblance of order. Also have a website and try to avoid using a hotmail email address when pitching for contracts. It works better also if you have a prototype to show not just an idea.
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