Business Description:Ziva Software has developed a ground-breaking 'Fetch Engine' that provides exact answer(s) for every user query. Exact answers are provided to users as SMS responses or on the search portal itself - users don't have to scavenge through web-pages looking for answers.
Fetch Engine technology makes it possible - for the first time ever - for users to search across the whole web (and more) just by sending a SMS. This is complimented with the 'wisdom of crowd' via an open answering platform (42.zook.in). Together, innovative algorithms and human intelligence feedback loop ensure that every query is provided with exact and relevant answer.
Zook (www.zook.in or SMS to 57575665) is Ziva Software's innovative mobile search service based on the Fetch Engine technology. Zook makes it possible for every mobile user to squeeze the web and get an answer that fits in a few SMSes.
In addition, Zook leverages the power and utility of the SMS medium and the flexibility of its platform to provide custom and personalized alerts service - users can set alerts corresponding to their unique requirements. This, once again, is a truly unique service that makes it possible to serve not only the 'short head of alerts' (= popular/common alert subscriptions) but also the 'long tail of alerts'.
Industry:Telecom/ Mobile
Founded in:2005
Source of idea:Systematic search for business opportunity
Significant Competitors:Web search (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc.) and mobile search (Jumptap, Medio, etc.) companies
Company Details :
Company Name:Ziva Software
HeadQuarters:Bangalore
Stage of the company:Scaling up
No of Employees (2006):0-5
No of Employees (2007):6-15
Office Locations(2006):0-1
Office Locations(2007):0-1
No of companies promoted:No
Profits (2006):
Profits (2007):
>Partnerships:Three types of partnerships and tie-ups:
1. Mobile operators: Idea Cellular, Aircel, Spice, etc.
2. Action providers: BookMyShow, Open2save, HungryZone, Mapunity, etc.
3. Content providers: Infomedia, OneIndia, iMint, BuzzInTown, etc.
Initial Funding:Personal savings
Addl Funding:Venture capital
Institutitional Capital:Yes
Revneue Model:Two mechanisms: (a) lead generation charge and (b) mobile advertisements.
Mobile search engines are used when end-users have a concrete requirement. Therefore, 'loop completion' needs to be an important aspect of any self-respecting mobile search service. Zook supports both online and offline 'actions' via its extensible 'Action Engine'. Actions include ticket purchase and delivery, food delivery, restaurant reservations, purchase + download of content, alert subscriptions, ability to call and/or exchange messages, etc.
In addition, Zook has a specialized mobile advertisement platform that serves targeted ads (esp. coupons, offers, deals, etc.) to users based on the relevant contextual information (which can include current query terms, past user profile, user location, operator, etc.).
Awards & honors:Aug 2005: Ziva Software selected by TiE Bangalore to undergo Kanwal Rekhi's Entrepreneurship Workshop
Nov 2005: 'Phone-based Preference Maps' paper selected by an international panel for participation at 3 GSM World Congress 2006 in Barcelona
Feb 2006: Ziva Software selected for incubation at IIM Bangalore's NSR-GIV Centre by a panel consisting of IIM Professors, VCs, and Industrialists
Jun 2007: Ziva Software selected as one of the top 25 startups (out of 120+ companies across Asia) at Proto SE '07 conference in Chennai
Jul 2007: Dr. Ajay Sethi nominated for 'Karnataka Entrepreneur of the Year' award (sponsored by Zee (Kannada)) by IIM Bangalore faculty members
Jan 2008: Ziva Software identified as one of the 'Top 10 startups to watch for in 2008' by Mint (jointly published by The Wall Street Journal and Hindustan Times)
Feb 2008: Ziva Software nominated for MoMo Global Peer Award at 3 GSM World Congress 2008 in Barcelona
Apr 2008: Zook client selected as an 'innovative application' across the world by Forum Nokia
Promoters Details :
Promoters Name(s):Dr.Ajay Sethi
Age:39
HomeTown:N.A.
Education:Masters
No of companies promoted:No
Family Background:First gen entrepreneur
Job:Director of Product Development at Oracle Corp
Ex-Job Description:Business Intelligence
Favorite Book/Movie:The Field by Lynne McTaggart
