Oneflare

Oneflare
Private company
Industry Online marketplace
Predecessor PickAQuote.com.au
Founded 2011
Founder Marcus Lim, Adam Dong
Headquarters Sydney, Australia
Area served
 Australia
Website Oneflare.com.au

Oneflare is an Australian-owned and operated online marketplace launched in January 2011,[1] that connects customers and local service providers. Prior to its relaunch,Oneflare operated as PickAQuote.

There are over 70,000 registered local service providers on Oneflare, that have received over $100 million worth of jobs to date in 200 service categories.[2]

History

Developed by co-founders Marcus Lim and Adam Dong, Oneflare aims to disrupt the traditional online business directory model.[3] The site matches service requests with competitive quotes from local service providers and includes business reviews and ratings to make the hiring process easier.

The website uses natural language processing to match every request to the right service provider.[4] In June 2011 the company launched an iPhone mobile application that allows users to measure physical objects with their iPhone, and then attach it as part of their job request.[5]

After securing a A$50,000 Skills and Knowledge grant from Commercialisation Australia to engage professional external advisors to raise investment capital, develop website architecture and procure professional legal advice,[6] the company subsequently raised A$500,000 from external investors Grand Prix Capital, the Sydney Seed Fund and The Strategy Group.[7][8] The venture-backed startup has raised a total of A$1.5 million to date. The company was nominated for the 2013 Australian mobile awards.[9]

The startup acquired Renovate Forum in July 2014, an Australian online renovation community[10] that hosts over 40,000 members who seek and share home renovation advice.

In February 2015, Oneflare announced the acquisition of Melbourne-based customer reviews website, Word of Mouth Online (WOMO). Described as the largest Australian customer reviews site,[11] WOMO currently has 420,000 user generated reviews and testimonials, and 175,000 registered businesses across a variety of local trades and services.[12]

CEO and founder of Oneflare, Marcus Lim told TechCrunch that the integration of Oneflare and WOMO reviews will accelerate Oneflare's vision to become the most trusted source for local services.[13]

Service process

Both consumers and commercial service providers register on the main website.[14] As part of the rating system, the license, registration and insurance/indemnity details of service providers are checked.[14]

Consumers register a job/project free of charge. The request is then sent to a number of the contractors who service that location.[15] In addition to trades such as electricians, landscapers and roofers, the site lists 200 service categories, including accountants, interior designers, cleaners, computer repairers and photographers.[16]

Real-time SMS and email updates are sent to customers and businesses alike.The website provides the consumer with the five lowest priced quotations and the consumer chooses their preferred provider, who is contracted directly through the website to complete the work. The site includes a customer helpdesk and provides a Home Care Guarantee, which offers to pay up to A$500 when a guaranteed business is negligent.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Oneflare smart 100". Anthill. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Swan, David (April 2015). "Oneflare hits $100m milestone". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Oneflare: Desire to disrupt sparks business idea".
  4. ↑ "Crunchbase Profile for Oneflare.com.au". Crunch Base. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "A new iPhone app is designed to make quoting on jobs easier for punters and tradesmen alike".
  6. ↑ "Commercialisation Australia - Oneflare Pty Ltd".
  7. ↑ "Australia’s OneFlare Raises $500,000, Eyes Singapore Next".
  8. ↑ Rose Powell (4 July 2013). "Oneflare secures funding in readiness for next local services evolution". StartUpSmart.com.au. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "OneFlare". 2013 Australian Mobile Awards. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  10. ↑ http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/7/25/technology/oneflare-buys-renovate-forum
  11. ↑ "Oneflare picks up WOMO".
  12. ↑ "Oneflare acquires customer reviews site WOMO ahead of international expansion".
  13. ↑ "Australian Service Directory Oneflare Acquires Review Site WOMO".
  14. 1 2 "How It Works". OneFlare.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  15. ↑ Emily Chantiri (14 January 2014). "Quick route to finding the finest quote". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  16. ↑ http://oneflare.com.au/directory
  17. ↑ http://oneflare.com.au/trust-and-safety

External links

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