Microsoft Innovation Center Brussels

CentralApp has been busy since the MIC Boostcamp. In one year it has delivered 10.000 online presence reports, added 500 accounts and teamed up with 14 of Belgium’s leading listing websites, social networks, GPS and maps to deliver to store managers a seamless experience when it comes to managing the online visibility of their point of sale. In the last 3 months, CentralApp has also introduced the 2nd version of its web application with more automation and a new architecture to accommodate users at scale.

CentralApp is a tech start-up born in Brussels and founded by Jean-Charles Vanderlinden and Pablo Castiel Gazier who met at Solvay before working in consulting and consumer goods. CentralApp enables local businesses to get found online by updating on one single platform their information across all major websites and apps (such as Facebook, Foursquare, Google and many others). The web app works for any kind of business, which relies on point of sales to distribute their products or services. Restaurants, shops, large retailers, wellness centers, doctors or banks can all benefit from it.

How did it start?

With a lunch! Jean-Charles had planned a lunch with a potential business partner at a restaurant, which was open according an online listing. When at the door, the place was closed. After being confronted with the same problem over and over, he started to understand there was a fundamental flaw preventing online data to be correct. Jean-Charles then studied the market and attended the MIC Boostcamp to turn that insight into a business.

So, what is the service?

CentralApp has two cool services:

• The Scan tool: enables any local business in Belgium to instantly view there online presence on 14 top listing websites, social media platforms, GPS and maps. The scan works by providing the businesses name and address. If you want to check it out just go to: getcentralapp.com and enter a place name and address (bonus: it’s free).

• The publication tool: CentralApp enables local business to update these key websites through a single portal. Business managers edit a unique form and the information is automatically spread across the network. You are or know a store owner? Just try it at http://my.getcentralapp.com/#/signup!

What is next?

Continue adding more publication partners in Belgium and abroad to improve the service to store managers and the experience of websites and apps user.

What have we learned?

• Try fast, fail fast, improve fast: there is no easy way to know what the market will want to buy, make small iterations and test them.
• Create a core of early enthusiast: partners or clients, make sure that they have a real interest in your success and believe that achieving your companies vision will help them.
• Build the team before building the business: In a start-up, people are always the key resource, so make sure the team has the skills and spirit needed to build the product and bring it to the market. Avoid to externalise key activities!

Want to get in touch?

I’m always happy to have a coffee with interesting people, just drop me an email: [email protected]