IAN invests under $1M in location management app Zippr

Hyderabad-based Ten20 Infomedia Pvt Ltd, the startup behindZippr, a mobile app that helps users create a short code to replace traditional long addresses, has secured Rs 6 crore ($980,873) in angel funding from Indian Angel Network (IAN). The round was co-led by Sanjay Mehta and Siddharth Ladsariya.

"The funds will be used to push Zippr through offline activation and other channels, build out technology infrastructure and scale the team," said Aditya Vuchi, founder and CEO of Zippr.

Ten20 Infomedia was founded last year by Vuchi, a serial entrepreneur who is also running another company called MediaMint. Previously, he was business director- global operations at Exponential Interactive, a provider of advertising intelligence and digital media solutions. Earlier, he also worked at Tribal Fusion (part of Exponential) in various capacities. An alumnus of West Virginia University (the US), he also holds a BE from Osmania University (Hyderabad).

Zippr is a central location management service that enables users to create short codes and share them with friends and businesses. The codes can also be shared with people who do not have the app installed on their mobile phones. According to the company, the app solves the problem of explaining complex addresses to others.

Available on the web as well as on the Android platform, the company is now planning to monetise its product by partnering with banks and hospitals. It had recently partnered with 108 (emergency service) to help accident victims quickly create short codes thereby allowing ambulances to reach them faster.

"Zippr attempts to solve a very real problem of explaining addresses through a simple solution of standardising through a short 8-character code. We see tremendous opportunities for Zippr, both in the consumer and enterprise spaces. In sometime, consumers with e-commerce logistics will be engaging with what's your Zippr, instead of what's your address," said Mehta.

(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)