Hubs.ng is a digital ecosystem that enables Nigerians to perform over 12 different transactions including Hubs music, Hubs sites, classified, business directory, Job board, account manager, Ads server, Hubs event, project management Hub and much more. Innovation Village caught up with Itopaking David in this interview where he told us about he built Hubs.ng, challenges and much more. Excerpts
Can you briefly tell us about yourself?
My name is Itopaking David. I am the team lead/ founder of Hubs.ng. I am a computer software engineer. I love creativity and meeting creative minds.
What is your startup-Hubs.ng-all about? What are you offering Nigerians?
Hubs.ng is a digital ecosystem with a collection of services inspired by the physical ecosystem and digitally connected to one account. We currently have over 12 active services for users to use freely. We launched on Aug 14, 2017.
What motivated you to establish Hubs.ng?
We wanted to narrow the digital divide and to also increase the use of tech in Nigeria’s daily activities. So, we decided to build Nigeria’s first digital space with services inspired by real people for the purpose of creating new opportunities and developments. We also know that tech solutions are not readily available to everyone because of the cost so we decided to create an ecosystem that can house all category of users. We also believe that with a digitally inclusive Nigeria we can control so many issues in the country ranging from security and data management just to mention a few.
How do you market these e-commerce businesses that signup to use your platform in the face of strong competition from other e-commerce startups?
We run social media ads for products and also we believe that every vendor has an audience so providing them with the right e-commerce tool will make them excel which is why every shop has a unique link and the vendor can also run publicity and get traffic to his shop and products.
Why should an average Nigerian patronise an e-commerce startup whose products and services promoted by Hubs.ng?
We make extra checks on products from vendors on the platforms and also have a verification process before a vendor is allowed to start selling. Also, over 70% of e-commerce transactions are POD which is assuring for customers to validate what they are paying for.
How do Hubs.ng make money?
We generate revenue from ads and also transaction fee on every transaction made using our online payment system. We also generate revenue from our hosting platform and featured ads on our classified/ auction service.
What are some of the challenges of running and managing Hubs.ng?
Having to find funding or investors are major issues which also affects our publicity to make more awareness for Nigerians to know the opportunities and services they can access using Hubs.ng
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs?
My advice is simple, don’t give up on your dreams. It is one life and you can live it all.
1 Comment
Wow! I am very impressed. Reading this gives me a better understanding of it and I think its something that will personally help my writing and blogging career. It won’t hurt to give this a try. Itopaking is a very diligent man. God bless you.