Interview with Munchpunch (Exponencia Inc)

It used to be just ClicktheCity or EYP for restaurant listings. With Munchpunch in the picture, deciding where to eat out or order food has become more convenient. The site looks really pleasant and usable. That’s what you get when the developers make an app out of their own need.
Pinoy Web Startup sits down with Alvin Tan of Exponencia, the company behind Munchpunch.

In photo (L-R): JP Dela Torre, Alvin Tan, Mau Molina, Marie Casas

What made you take the plunge? How different is your life now with before founding your company?
I have always wanted to build a product from scratch and have been fascinated with the web (and the business around it) since high school. An opportunity came my way last 2006 that entails both so I took the plunge.
My life right now is not much different from before. I still work during regular hours and try to get out of the office by 5 or 6PM. Interestingly, I look forward to Mondays now and hope that time is much slower so I can do more work. Of course, I also enjoy the freedom of not having a boss now.

How did you get the word out about MunchPunch?
On our first day, we sent hundreds of SMS to friends to announce our website. We also distributed stickers around Makati business district area to promote it. Right now, we are growing organically through word of mouth (both online and offline).

What’s a typical day like for you/your team?
On a typical day, our data team is busy calling up restaurants and managing our restaurant data. Howell, my co-founder, handles sales inquiries, marketing, or other business that needs to get done. As for me, I have a bizarre work schedule, I start work at around midnight until 2-3 AM to answer emails and do some coding/maintenance for our website. During the day, I usually set a particular task to accomplish like designing or writing.

Anything exciting brewing in 2008?
Yes, there is. This is the year that we’d like to put it all together, product-wise, based on our lessons from the past year. You can expect a refined “feature-set” and richer business listings, in short, more semantics and metadata.
We are also trying to improve our processes so that we’ll be in a position to grow as a team/company if needed.

How do you see the web startup environment in the country? What do you think holds back the growth of a Silicon Valley-like hub for web startups because there are still so few?
Honestly, I have little clue on what’s going on with other local internet startups. I’m sure this website will give people a better picture of the startup scene here in our country so I’m also looking forward to your growth.
Luis of syndeo::media touches well on what’s holding back startups and I share the same sentiments. To add, although making money is the ultimate motive of any business – technology-based or not, it should be more than that to make a technology startup work and fulfilling. If it’s only money, it won’t take you far and some don’t even take the first step because there are other ways to make money. I believe a lot of people lack this extra motivation (or meaning) so it definitely holds back the number of local startups.

3 points to think about for people with ideas for web startups
Ideas are nothing without execution and more often than not, ideas change during the course of your startup. If you have the time and money to develop it, then go for it. Don’t forget that you should also spend time finding people who can materialize the idea aside from dwelling on “the idea”.

3 points to think of when taking on business partners for your web application
Find someone who shares and understands your vision. Know their commitment beforehand, in terms of money (if they are investing money) and/or time (if they have an operational role). You don’t want to be bailed out during critical times of your startup. Lastly, find someone who you can deal with during your startups’ bad days. It is for sure that you will run into issues that you need to discuss and settle.

3 points to think about financing your web application
For self-funded startups like us, always be thrifty. A lot of stuff can be outsourced and it’s usually cheaper so always explore that option (i.e. don’t host your site in your office). Skip a meal or turn off the aircon if that’s the only way to cover your hosting fee. Okay, that’s exaggerated. My point is, don’t be cheap when spending for your server. After all, your server runs your business.

Final words for young web companies starting out
Just do it and be relentless. However, if your alternative to a startup is better than the time/money you spend on it then I suggest that you think twice before continuing. Life is short and technology startups take time to blossom.