SPH launches service matching portal Recommend.sg

SPH Interactive (SPHI) and start-up RecomN Technologies have launched Recommend.sg, a portal for people to find reliable services in Singapore. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM RECOMMEND.SG

SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) unit SPH Interactive (SPHI) has formed a joint venture with start-up RecomN Technologies to launch Recommend.sg, a portal for customers to find and hire reliable services in Singapore.

RecomN Technologies was founded in Malaysia in mid-2014.

After receiving US$1 million (S$1.38 million) in seed funding from venture capital firm Gobi Ventures last year, the firm expanded its operations to Indonesia and Thailand.

SPH said in a statement on Thursday that the joint venture will help boost the local economy by empowering small businesses and freelancers with a new way to find and engage consumers online.

SPH will be licensing its ST Directory intellectual property to the joint venture and provide support in marketing strategy, while RecomN Technologies will operate the portal as well as provide its technology platform and operational best practices from other markets.

All existing STDirectory business listings will be migrated to Recommend.sg

Beyond business listings, Recommend.sg will allow customers to reach the right service providers quickly, with customer reviews, previous portfolio, online chat, and the ability to request for quotes online.

Recommend.sg will initially focus on the events space, helping customers find service providers such as party planners, photographers, and caterers. It will gradually expand to other categories like home and lifestyle.

"When I first met the RecomN co-founders, I was impressed with their vision of transforming the services industry and their fast execution to become the market leader after two years. We are excited about working together to transform the way Singaporeans find local businesses," said Mr Julian Tan, the executive vice president of SPH's digital division.

RecomN co-founder Alex Tan said: "We wanted to work with a partner that is deeply entrenched in the lives of Singaporeans, and there is no better-known name than SPH."

Businesses who are interested to be listed on the portal can contact the team at hello@recommend.sg.

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