Save22
| Developer(s) | BOB FTW PTE LTD |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2010 |
| Stable release | 1.1.0 on Android 2.0.1 on iOS |
| Written in | Objective C, Java, Python |
| Operating system | Android, iOS |
| Size | 4.4 MB on Android 1.9 MB on iOS |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Shopping |
| License | Free |
| Website | www |
Save22 is an Asian web and mobile shopping app that scans products and finds local stores selling that product.[1] The iPhone app version of Save22 (then known as Lobangclub) won Asia's Most Valuable App 2011 Award at Singtel TechVenture.[2][3]
By 2012, the app has been number 1 in its category in the App Store[4] and has expanded to the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore[5]
Save22 is cross platform, it is currently available on iOS and Android devices.
History
The company was founded by Guyi Shen with co-founders Ronald Cheung and Jeremy Foo, the app was originally named Lobangclub. The name was later changed due to an unexpected meaning of the world lobang in Bahasa Indonesian.[5] The company is headquartered at NTU in Singapore, with its main work campus in Manila, Philippines.[6]
Investments
Save22 has received an undisclosed sum of funding from Crystal Horse Investments and MDA;[7] After the investment, CEO of Crystal Horse Investments, Michiel Wind posted on AngelList:
Save22 is an innovative, SouthEast Asian startup company in the area of price-comparison, combining mobile and web solutions.
— Michiel Wind, AngelList[8]
Controversy
CEO Guyi Shen was featured on the reality TV Show Angel's Gate and appeared to agree on a mentoring relationship with two of the angels on the show for 10% equity in the company.[9] This agreement was widely ridiculed as an example of investors taking advantage of entrepreneurs in the Singapore startup ecosystem.[10][11] It later was revealed that the agreement never progressed beyond the TV studio.[12]
Features
The app allows user to scan items at home or in store to find similar products in nearby stores and compare prices. This can also be done with a name search.[13] Users can also add new products to the database thus incrementally building a bigger listing of products.[14]
Public reception
The app was judged Asia's most valuable App 2011 by Singtel Techventure.[15] Subsequently, the company was invited to launch the app at the inaugural DEMO Asia 2012.[16]
The Straits Times reviewed the app and called it a "Must Have".[17]
The app maintains a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating in the App store and a 5 out 5 stars rating in the Play Store.
References
- ^ Huang, Ryan (2012-10-08). "'Perfect time' for price comparison sites in Asia". ZDNet. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Winners of Asia's Top 50 Apps announced - SGE : SGE". Sgentrepreneurs.com. 2011-10-15. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Straits Times". October 15, 2011.
- ^ "LobangClub App Hits Number One on iTunes Singapore". Penn-olson.com. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ a b "Lobangclub launches Android app, drops the Lobang name - e27". E27.sg. 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Lobangclub – Will it work in Singapore? - e27". E27.sg. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Portfolio «". Ch-investments.com.sg. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Save22 - AngelList". Angel.co. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ AngelsGate. "Angel's Gate Episode 3". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "An Open Letter to Angel's Gate | Derrick Ko". Blog.derrickko.com. 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Angel's Gate: Good or Bad?". Techinasia.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "The insider story on Lobangclub's Angel's Gate appearance | Inside Save22(formerly Lobangclub)". Insidestartup.sg. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Singapore's HSA Tells App Developer to Remove Posts on Cigarettes". The Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ LoBangClub (2009-07-22). "Singapore iPhone app Lobangclub - Asia's Most Valuable App 2011". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Jon Russell (2011-10-17). "Price comparison app Lobangclub named most valuable app at Accelerate". Thenextweb.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Lobang Club". DEMO Asia. 2012-03-02. Archived from the original on 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ Grace Chng (2011-09-28). "Digital Life, Apps". The Straits Times.
