Want to share knowledge but don’t know how? Gyaaexchange. com is the place to go.
Started barely a year ago, the Mumbai-based online portal is a space to market one’s talent/knowledge, inviting those interested to come along and learn.
Similarly, the website is also a place for someone scouting classes for in the city that they can go to.
Explaining how the website is meant to be more of a knowledge exchange market, co-founder Vishad Sanghvi tells us more.
“We wanted to create an online market place where one could upload educational content.
When we initially researched, we went to schools and looked at how we could make it work.
Logistics got tricky and idea of taking it to schools fizzled out.
But that’s when we realised, why just schools? Why not open it to everyone? That’s how gyaanexchange.com was born,” he begins.
If you’ve heard of the concept initially or have browsed cursorily through their website, it leaves one with the notion that gyaanexchange.com is a place for one find virtual tutorials.
However, its actually a more concise compilation of people and places across the city that are offering classes, workshops, seminars and the likes.
“We are aiming at making the website more virtual than it is and are actually going to be launching web classes very soon. That not only makes it more accessible but also cheaper. You can take a class when you like in the comfort of your home. The site is also becoming heavily integrated with online social networking medias, where you can comment, like or share classes on Facebook. ” Considering that they’re just a start-up, they’ve faced their share of difficulties and getting out there has been the biggest.
“When we started out we had to reach out to people and convince them to post their classes on our website. But, gyaanexchange.com came with its own benefits.The first being, teachers would get paid for sure.In many cases, a class would organised, place rented out and finally just a few from the confirmed number turn up. But when one registers for a class on our site, they have to make a payment. So they’re coming for sure. And we pay teachers only once the class is done, that way avoiding tricksters.” Gyaanexchange.com also offers those interested cash pick-up services, for those who can’t/won’t pay online.
“Students can’t be a part of the class if they don’t pay. So to make it easier we have cash couriers. However, it’s a service we are providing only in Mumbai at the moment. We don’t have an office as such in Hyderabad, and hence can’t a provide the same.” The Hyderabad bowl of knowledge opened up as recently as a few weeks ago.
Still looking to pick up the success they have in Mumbai, and other cities like Delhi and Pune, Sanghvi is pretty hopeful.
“Hyderabad, and for that matter even Bengaluru, are cities we’re counting on. This is because people in Hyderabad are very tech savvy, given the IT climate.
There are a higher number of people who access the internet on a regular basis and use it for various transactions. So we see the traffic picking up.” Now spread out over 10 cities, gyaanexchange.com has a very happy first anniversary to look forward to on October 11.
In the spirit of festivities, they have launched a pan India book collection drive, the fruit of which they plan on donating to Goonj, a NGO.
“It is literally the gift of gyaan we’re asking people to give. It’s a fairly simple concept.” Those interested can courier the books over Noesis Knowledge Solutions, 105 Regal Diamond Center, Opera House, Mumbai 400004 (contact: 091676 06469).
Details: www.gyaanexchange. com
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