Location-based networking startup Treetle revamps UI, adds e-wallet; claims 3K users

Treetle.com, a location-based networking platform to help users pursue their interests and activities along with like-minded people in the neighbourhood, has revamped its user interface (UI) adding new features such as e-wallet and is planning to go off beta as part of its global launch early next year, the company's founder told Techcircle.in.

"After our private beta launch in April this year, we decided to give the website a fresh look and feel with new significant features," said Pankaj Dugar, founder and CEO, Treetle. "We have also tied up with e-commerce companies such as Flipkart, Yebhi.com, Camelbak, etc., to enable users to redeem their credits and purchase e-vouchers at a discount."

The site run by one-year-old Bangalore-based startup Treetle Software Pvt Ltd, claims to have 3,000 registered users and 200 clubs using its platform, since it went public beta just over three months ago.

Although 3,000 is not a large number for a social networking site, Treetle is an interesting product and it has been just about three months in public beta (read more on that here). It is also rolling out its mobile app on Android and iOS platforms in this month.

The company is planning to launch the service in January in over 150 countries. This would also mark the site going off beta.

According to Dugar, the new e-wallet feature makes it easy for users to remit or receive payments for events organised by any club on Treetle. For instance, if an organiser wants to charge Rs 50 per person for an event, he/she can mark that as a 'paid event' while posting it on Treetle. Those interested in attending the event can RSVP and pay via a single click using their e-wallet account, completely sidestepping the payment gateway process.

"The money is credited to the organiser's Treetle account via net banking, credit card or debit card instantly and the user doesn't need to go through a payment gateway system each time he/she carries out a transaction," explained Dugar.

The company also offers chances to win 'incentives' for event organisers on its website. "The organiser can win rewards -- monetary and non-monetary -- for events. It is called a 'bravo point' and the credits earned by the organiser can be used to buy e-vouchers from the e-commerce companies," he said.

Treetle also offers facility to cross post events to other clubs in order to reach out to a wider audience. It is currently working on another feature that enables users to sign in from anywhere in the world and make payment in their local currency.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)