In a social media-centered world people may have so many platforms to voice their opinion, but there are few platforms where opinions can be converted into ground-level action. Bengaluru-based MyVote.Today looks to fill that gap by providing a polling platform on various issues. “We pick up one important issue a day and run a poll on it and we see what people have to say,” said Amit Bagaria, CEO of MyVote.Today.
“If a certain poll hits a certain number, it automatically gets converted into a petition. We then send the petition to the relevant people and keep following up. Once you’ve signed a petition, you can choose to get update on that,” he said.
The startup initially ran its polls on Twitter and has garnered close to 33,000 followers. The app was launched on February 16 and presently has 4,400 installs and 1,100 weekly active users.
“I think it’s a good platform for expression for people,” said Pravin Malkani, Managing Director of T24 Residency hotel and an active user of the app. “At least now we have a digital platform, where we can voice our opinion. It is as democratic as it can get. I think it is fantastic. We are getting more vocal, high time we got a platform like this,” he said.
MyVote.Today presently concentrates on national issues and plans to take up hyperlocal issues once it attracts enough users in a geographical area.
“We take two kinds of topics — concerns that matter and matters that concern. It may be something in your neighbourhood, something to do with garbage, theft, etc. There are so many concerns that are never taken up and there are matters that concern — for example, IPL; it may concern the fans, brands, etc.,” said Bagaria. The firm is currently redesigning its app and has roped in Campbell, California-based interaction design company Zurb.
The revamped version will come out in June, Bagaria said. “We are making it much more user friendly, informative and participative. In the next version, you can comment why you voted in a certain way, follow other people and see others people’s comments,” he said.
Users have to give their year of birth, gender and residential pincode while signing up. This helps the platform run customised polls according to various needs. Users are incentivised through various discounts from brands and they also get to earn badges such as citizen Chief Minister for their social activism. Besides different kinds of polls including social, sports and entertainment, MyVote.Today offers sponsored polls for brands.
MyVote.Today plans to monetise through targeted advertising, sponsored polls and data mining.
Future plans for the startup include adding regional languages to the platform.
It is presently available in English and Hindi. Tamil and Bengali will be introduced soon. It also plans to foray into the US and Brazil once it establishes in India.
The startup has already raised $ 220,000 in its seed round and is looking to raise some more money in the coming months.
Source: The Economic Times
