Interview With Simon Newstead, Founder Of Frenzoo
May 15, 2009 by Gwen
Filed under Featured, Interviews
Based in Hong Kong, Frenzoo brings fashion online and in the form of 3D avatars. They will be here in Singapore to present at unConference 2009 and we had a chat with Simon Newstead, founder of Frenzoo.
Hi Simon, tell us what is Frenzoo all about.
Frenzoo is first 3D Fashion World on the web. It’s a place where teens and girls in their 20 somethings can have fun being creative and enjoying fashion and avatars. We’re a global website, recently launched into public beta with many languages and a great mix from around the world – almost evenly balanced between North America, Europe and Asia. We also have members from Singapore and Malaysia.
Who makes up your team in Frenzoo?
A core development team of under 10 people in Hong Kong – enthusiastic, focussed and with open minds and global outlooks.
What makes Frenzoo so different from other virtual worlds and social networks?
Unlike other virtual world – we are focussed on a particular niche – fashion & style. We have pioneered it and have a lot of unique things in our experience, such as fashion design – really easy and addictive for those with a creative bent. We run in the web browser and are designed to be able to be enjoyed by casual web surfers, not just the technically savvy.
When was Frenzoo started?
We’ve been in development for over 18 months until the beta launch.
Frenzoo team.
What is your business model? Do you get brands to sponsor the items that the avatars are wearing?
Our main business model is end user revenue – virtual currency purchase and subscription. Advertising and sponsorship are also part of the business model, we let real brands do 3D product placement in our shop, and can partner with ecommerce sites.
Do you find that your users use an item more if it is branded (sponsored by a brand in real life)?
Most of our content is created by the community, VIP users who have setup their own virtual brands on the site. Both these brands and real brands are popular, especially as people build a bond with the creators.
Where do you see Frenzoo in one year?
A large mass market service providing a creative and positive experience to girls and guys interested in fashion and avatars around the world. Also a growing rate of user monetization and moving to profitability.
If you had to pick, Marketing or Technology? [Which one is more important?]
A viable product to fit a real need or desire is the most important, and that encompasses technology and market positioning. Sorry, don’t believe you can pick just one!
How are you funding Frenzoo? Will you be raising (additional) funds?
Bootstrapped from founder as well as small founding capital in 2007 from ASI – Skype co-Founders. We currently raising a seed round to help us grow to a mass market service, now we have successfully started our public beta.
Would you have done anything differently for Frenzoo?
Focussed on new user flow more earlier on, that’s vital! Now it’s always top of our development priorities. All in all we’ve made fantastic process with minimal resources in a short time – very happy with our accelerating pace and direction.
Are you planning to open an office in Singapore?
Singapore could be interesting going forward for expansion, but not short term plans.
What advice do you have for Singapore startups who wish to enter the Hong Kong market?
Spend time to understand usage behaviors in Hong Kong and cultural differences.
Top 3 qualities an entrepreneur must have?
Not accepting status quo. “Can do” attitude. Vision & Execution.
Lastly, excited about unConference Singapore 2009 this Saturday?
Yes! My first pitch competition, looking forward to engaging and learning a lot.
Thank you, Simon, and all the best with Frenzoo!
If you would like meet Simon in person, attend the premier startup event in the Asian region, unConference Singapore 2009.
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