Start-up Pocketbook has this week launched the mobile version of its financial management software to 10,000 beta users.
The Pocketbook software enables users to see all of their financial information in one place by aggregating bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and other financial engagements.
The Sydney-based start-up launched six months ago.
Co-founder Bosco Tan told StartupSmart almost 10% of Pocketbook’s user base is now using the app, with considerable network growth seen since its launch last week.
Tan says the iPhone app was created because of user demand.
“We kept hearing from a lot of our beta testers about how they wanted a mobile version to work with it on the go. Actually a lot of new users questioned us about where our app was in the app store, and seem confused about why it wasn’t there. So the demand was there from the beginning,” Tan says.
The software’s development into a mobile app has provided the team with the opportunity to upgrade the software. Users can now enter and track cash transactions, geo-locate purchase locations and take photos of invoices and receipts.
Tan says Pocketbook was committed to creating a unique user experience that reflected the different way people would use the mobile app.
“We’ve developed both to be a very different user experience. The app is about being on the go and getting snapshots of information that will only be memorable while you’re out and about,” Tan says, adding the original software was designed to be the best version of internet banking, so a desktop model made sense.
Maintaining constant communication and engaging with their big beta community has been a priority for the Pocketbook team.
“We had a lot of help from our users in designing the mobile app. We get 50 to 80 emails each day from users, so we’re pretty engaged with our users and they’re really generous with feedback and ideas,” Tan says. “We use that to our advantage, we try and get the most out of them and then build it for them.”
The two-person Pocketbook team is now developing the Android app and hope to have it finished by September, when they’ll be the only Australian company in the 10-team finals of a start-up competition for financial tech services held in Dubai.
They’re also working to close a round of funding that will enable them to grow quickly.
Rose is the current head of growth at Rampersand Ventures. She was formerly a reporter at StartupSmart.
