Pickmeup is a four-in-one tech startup launched to connect clients with vendors with tasks in the transport, laundry, food, and logistics sector. Unlike the likes of Uber and Taxify in service, Pickmeup offers more choices to clients. In this interview with Innovation Village, Creative Director, Adeitan Abimbola tells us more about the varieties of services the startup has to offer and how the startup is disrupting the transportation and logistics services in Nigeria.
Can we meet the Founder of Pickmeup and what year was the platform launched?
I am Adeitan Abimbola Moses, A graduate of Accounting from the premier University of Education ( Tasued), I am the Creative director at Pickmeup Innovations Enterprises Limited, a limited liability company with core business in Transport, laundry, logistics, and Food. Pickmeup came into existence as a business name in 2017 ( Pickmeup Ride) where the only focus was the transport category. The main objective Pickmeup is to solve transportation problems and also develop the transportation sector with the use of Tech as we all know life is going digital.
What is Pickmeup all about and what does it have to offer?
Pickmeup is a tech company with our core business in 4 major sectors ( Transport, Laundry, Logistics, and Food). Our main aim to develop the transport sector and other services in Life. With Pickmeup, we connect clients with vendors in the already listed category. Do you need a ride? You can get a ride as fast as possible on Pickmeup. Do you need laundry service, You can get connected to the nearest laundry vendor closer to you. Same principles apply to the logistics category.
What motivated the creation up of Pickmeup?
As we all know technological advancements in Transport is now the talk of the town as we all have the likes of Uber and Taxify doing good in LAGOS. we decided to create a very different business model to develop our own state and also we capitalized on experiences and learn from others to develop our own stuff. with the tertiary institutions in Ogun being the main target, we got to understand that some students do face different harassment from shuttle bus owners but they don’t have a choice because other means of transportation wasn’t as safe as shuttle buses. So we thought, if we can provide them with an affordable and comfortable platform, whereby they get connected with a driver at just a click on their phone, it will serve them better. That was why we developed the platform to also ease transport issues for Nigerian students.
What is unique about the services Pickmeup has to offer?
The unique thing about Pickmeup is that we offer our clients choices of services to request for and all shall be done at a twinkle of an eye.
How does Pickmeup work?
Pickmeup is designed to make life very easy. All you have to do is to signup as a user via www.pickmeup.com.ng/signup or download our Android App via www.pickmeup.com.ng/download. After signing up, complete your profile details, then click on the pickmeup Menu bar to request a ride or service of your choice. When a request is placed, we revert by assigning the vendor for the services requested as well as price. Once you are satisfied with the price, then you click Confirm, which automatically notifies the vendor that a service has been assigned. Ride and Laundry service works in Ogun state( Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Remo ) while our logistics category works only in Lagos for now.
What has traction been like since its launch?
You know it is not easy for startups to make profit immediately after launch. When we started as a business name ( Pickmeup Ride) in 2017, requests for rides where not coming in as expected, as you know it is a new thing to do in Ogun State which we understand it might take a longer period to start getting the necessary profit, that was why we upgraded our CAC registration to a limited liability company and worked on our business model whereby if our clients are not requesting for ride, then they should be requesting for laundry or logistics and this method has really paved way for us. We have had much more requests in laundry and logistics in comparison to the ride unit though the marketing materials for the ride are ready. Also, we are getting leads also as it is a gradual process but we believe we will get there!
What were the challenges encountered and achievements recorded so far since Pickmeup launched?
It was very tough starting, ‘I sold one of my saxophones so as to kick start the project and also had to invite like minds to the team so that we can make it a reality’ and though we aren’t financial buoyant yet we have crossed a lot of hurdles and the remaining ones aren’t as difficult as the ones we have experienced! We have achieved as well, we were the top of the list at Akin Alabi 2018 Yeco Grant where we were given #100,000. Ability to develop an App within a short time was an achievement for us also.
From your point of view how would rate the Nigerian startup ecosystem and in what areas do you think the ecosystem needs support?
The Nigerian startup ecosystem is growing and developing day-by-day. Young individuals and groups are starting to see good reasons to create solutions to problems faced by society. With the likes of Techpoint Africa, Innovation Village blog helping to promote startups to potential investors. Sooner than later, many ideas conceived by individuals will come to reality.
