Karan Sehgal
PANAJI
Speaking about the app, Prajyot Mainkar, director, Androcid Media, said, "We launched the first version of ‘Unexplored Goa' app on July 13. This app has become one of the biggest crowdsourcing platforms. If you are a service provider, like a plumber or a painter, you can upload information on this app. Or, you can even upload the information about someone else's business too."
Mainkar continued, "We have a team, which verifies the details submitted by people uploading the information. Once you, as a user, download the app, you can get the information about several service providers like electricians, carpenters, architects, taxi providers in your vicinity." In short, Unexplored Goa provides information about crucial utilities, which we require on a day-to-day basis. But, that's not all, as Mainkar further informed, "Anyone can upload the information even about jobs on the app."
At times, it becomes very difficult to find service providers in Goa. This can be a problem for not only locals, but even for tourists visiting the state every year. Moreover, Goa's population is spread out unlike cities like Delhi and Mumbai, where density tends to be very high and therefore finding service providers is not difficult.
In such a situation, Unexplored Goa will help a lot of Goans and also tourists in getting in touch with the service providers they need. Once you download the app on your mobile phone, a page is displayed, which has two tabs - ‘Services' and ‘Jobs'.
Depending upon what users need, they can find information about service providers and vacant jobs.
Mainkar said, "Unexplored Goa is now funded by Facebook. Under this arrangement, Facebook gives a credit to us, which we can utilise to advertise the app on Facebook. Otherwise, such ads cost a lot. It's a big boost for a young company like ours."
As of now, Androcid Media has launched Unexplored Goa app for Android platform, but Mainkar said that his company will launch the app even for iOS platform by Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Facebook funds Goan app called Unexplored Goa
In what can billed as a major shot in the arm for emerging tech start-ups in the state, Facebook has given funding to an app called ‘Unexplored Goa', which was developed by a Goan company called ‘Androcid Media'.
