Google provides us with a myriad of options when in search for anything and everything, though the variety and long list is appreciated, sometimes it’s easier to have other tools which are dedicated to a specific purpose. Hafla is the place to go to for all the interesting spots and exciting events happening around you. Instead of diving into google to find things that might interest you, you can use Hafla to swipe through your various options. In a little chit-chat with Mohammad Elzahaby, Founder of Hafla, we learn more about the venture and the story behind it!
What is the startup/product about? Give us a brief description of it.
Hafla is an App that lets you swipe through cool spots & events around you, put them on your bucket list to visit them later or share them with friends. We are starting in Vienna, Austria and want to conquer the whole world!
How many co-founders are there? Please introduce them and their backgrounds.
Its just me
How did you come up with the idea? What motivated you to do this?
It started back in 2019, when I was on road-trip in California with some friends. Back than it was not easy to find cool stuff to do. I had to face the google search jungle. Then in came to my mind. There must be an easier Way to get inspired. In that moment hafla was born. The idea to simply get inspiration for stuff you could do in your free time.
What is your target market? Why do you think your product will appeal to?
We are still trying to find product market fit. Right now, we are targeting students, expats and tourists in Vienna. We think that especially locals may be interested in our product, to get inspired and try out new stuff.
What are the marketing plans apart from the product hunt/beta list launch? How are you planning to acquire new users?
We are trying to achieve a word of mouth marketing. Our plan is to keep acquiring new users as low cost as possible. That is why we want to focus on a strategy where our users will recommend or get their friends to use our product.
Do you have a separate dedicated team to take care of marketing (digital marketing/traditional marketing)? Which digital platforms are you focusing more on?
Since I am working alone on this product, my focus is on Instagram as our main Marketing channel. We think our potential users are there waiting for us to pick them up!
What according to you is the biggest challenge that you faced? Is it product development or marketing or scaling or … ?
Definitely Marketing and acquiring new users. It is hard to find product market fit and we are still in this process of defining the right way to grow.
Who are your competitors/alternatives? What sets you apart from them?
In Vienna we are facing 2 direct competitors (inspi.wien & oida-app.com ) and numerous indirect.
What we try to do different is, that we are trying to become a social network. Where users can inspire other users by sharing their little sweet spot but also exchange each other.
What are the future plans with the product/startup? Any new features you are planning on?
The next feature we are working on right now is a possibility to display all the great inspirations we have collected in form of a sneak peek on our Website. So that anyone visiting our Website can get a glimpse of what to expect.
Know a great start-up story or want to share your own? Write to us at interact@insidermediacorp.com and we will get back to you. For more updates follow Venture Mirror on Facebook
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