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10 INTERVIEW 14.4.2022 What inspired the idea behind Gigify? Gigify was born out of a want to con- nect workers who have a service to of- fer, with people who need to get tasks done. Most tasks are mainly home- based, such as cleaning, organising, DIY, gardening, childminding and so on, but the opportunities to extend this concept are limitless. The idea is simple – it is to bring added value to whoever uses it, whether it is a Gig worker, or an individual requiring the job or task. Gig workers are offered a platform where to launch, showcase and promote their services, a calendar that helps them manage their book- ings, a communication system to cor- respond with clients and a fully inte- grated payment system. On the other hand, the on-demand app, which is available both on Android and IOS, provides customers with a database of independently reviewed, trusted, and vetted gig workers who can be booked to carry out home tasks at the click of a button. When did the app start operating and what is the take- up looking like? The app started operating in Sep- tember last year and since then we have signed up over 5,300 customers and almost 2,850 gig workers. To date, around 650 gigs across 54 services have been conducted, the most popu- lar of which have been home cleaning and handyman services. Every venture comes with its own challenges. What are your challenges here? Culturally, it takes time for us to adapt to different ways of carrying out business, even if it's a common daily transaction so I would say this is our biggest challenge. Another challenge is converting the 5,300 customers into paying customers who regularly book gigs. We also have a rather rigorous vetting and recruitment process, so getting the 2,850 gig workers live on the App in as short a time as possi- ble can also be quite a challenge. So far, we have completely vetted 200 gig workers, who are now active on the app. We are now in the process of for- malising our vetting, onboarding pro- cess, and allocating more resources to it. This is important because we want to ensure high standard of service for our customers. We are positive that this can really bring customer value because ultimately, we have seen the same business model work very well in other similar markets and believe it can be a success in Malta too. How are you planning to grow this project? What is its scalability? The platform's maximum scalability will be reached when every household in Malta will be using it a number of times a year. Growth will happen or- ganically through regular marketing drives and sharing of positive experi- ences, which would lead to more peo- ple using the platform to book more services. We are already encouraged by the fact that to date, we have repeat users who have used the app more than twenty times. Gigification reflects today's generation's want for a more sustainable work-life balance. Is the local market for this concept of work? Is it just a matter of changing one's attitude? Culture does have a part to play. Many people are already accustomed to their own way of doing things, de- spite more efficient solutions available to them. So, first they need to learn about these solutions, observe others using them, then start to trust them. At the moment we are targeting ear- ly adopters and our rebooking rate of 40%-50% is promising. This concept offers a directory of service provid- ers, the facility to book them depend- ing on availability, communicate with them, pay them after the job is done and pass on feedback. The intention is to make people's lives easier and at the same time, to provide the right platform for people who want to work especially self-em- ployed people for whom the app pro- vides all the necessary tools to reach customers, at a minimal fee, which is essentially a small commission on earnings. The challenge here is not a shortage in gig workers, but in the re- sources required to process the high volume. GO Ventures is prime investor Gigify.mt is an on-demand app that connects workers to customers requiring specific services at the click of a button. "It is a great tool, both for those seeking a specific service, as well as for those offering it. e steady growth of engagement that the app has been enjoying has attracted GO Ventures as a prime investor in this platform," says Gigify co-founder MICHAEL MERCIECA PAUL COCKS The on-demand app provides customers with a database of independently reviewed, trusted, and vetted gig workers who can be booked to carry out home tasks at the click of a button

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