INMARQ: Analogue Businesses Compete in the Digital World




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  • 2014-10-06 19:58:58
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Several AUBG alumni are participating in the development of a tech startup in Amsterdam. Learn more about it from the company's press release. [caption id="attachment_21918" align="alignright" width="142" caption="Spartak Grigoryev (Member of InMarq and AUBG Alumn)"][/caption] InMarq provides a comprehensive social media platform for consumers and business owners. From the consumer perspective it functions as a review site, shopping site and budget manager, bringing together products and services from both online and offline retailers in the local vicinity. In doing this InMarq helps small businesses stay competitive in the current globalized age of commerce. InMarq revolutionizes the way shoppers interact with small, family-owned stores, supporting convenience for the consumer and strengthening the fabric from which healthy communities are made. [caption id="attachment_21915" align="alignleft" width="141" caption="Iva Kodhelaj (Member of InMarq and AUBG Alumn)"][/caption] From the business owners’ perspective, InMarq provides an inventory system as well as useful data analytics on products and services.  After the initial three-month free trial, InMarq will charge businesses for a monthly subscription. This enables businesses to see if the InMarq platform provides them with a workable and necessary service before they pay for it. A research report conducted in part by the National Retail Federation details the potential for offline and online retailers to converge into a single platform in the near future.  The report cites several imperatives for retailers to adapt to this single platform, including to “improve efficiency… attract and retain customers… reduce enterprise costs… (and) increase enterprise growth”. Likewise, Pillar Iof the European Commission’s Digital Agenda for Europe, covers the European Union’s plan for addressing this convergence. InMarq’s services supports the goals of these documents by helping small businesses with fewer resources stay connected to consumer trends and maintain an effective online presence. In doing this, InMarq enables these local businesses to compete with multinational chain stores. InMarq is currently using an Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign for seed financing. Part of the money raised from this campaign will be used to support a public outreach team who will be recruiting businesses and publicizing the platform. Another portion will be used to further develop the website and interface system to optimize user functionality. [caption id="attachment_21916" align="alignright" width="190" caption="Nathaniel Baumgardner (Member of InMarq and AUBG Alumn)"][/caption] InMarq is currently comprised of seven master’s students coming from four different universities. Spartak Grigoryev (Chief Executive Officer) and Stanislav Wald, the Chief Financial Officer, received degrees in Financial Markets and Regulation from Duisenberg School of Finance in Amsterdam. Iva Kodhelaj, the Chief Technological Officer, is studying towards a master’s degree in Business Information Systems at the Technology University in Eindhoven. Nathaniel Baumgardner, the Chief Communications Officer, received his degree in Public Policy and Human Development from Maastricht University. Diana Asatryan, a public relations consultant for the company, received her degree from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Nate, Spartak, Iva and Diana first became acquainted during their undergraduate programs at the American University in Bulgaria. Stanislav later befriended Spartak during their studies in Amsterdam. In September 2014, two other AUBG alumni, Dato Gachechiladze and Nino Rurua, were recruited to the InMarq team to assist with platform development. Both are also studying for their masters’ at the Technology University in Eindhoven. InMarq is headquartered in Amsterdam, which is where the pilot program for the business will initially be implemented. Likewise, the technological operations are being developed in Eindhoven. Once the platform is fully functional, all operations will be managed via Amsterdam. Please stay up to date on our business developments by visiting the InMarq blog and visit our Indiegogo campaign page to show your support.