WHEN three young entrepreneurs founded web portal Gothere.sg last year, they just wanted to make it easier to get from one place to another in Singapore.
Little did they know that in less than a year, they would become Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's poster boys for start-ups in his Budget speech.
The Government wants to see more unique, innovative products created locally, but Mr Tharman said yesterday that Singapore still has 'a lot of catching up to do'.
'We see it growing. There are more start-ups and smaller players who are making their mark,' he added.
Gothere.sg, founded with under $100,000 last April, is fast becoming an online sensation, drawing 15,000 queries a day, co-founder Toh Kian Khai said. It provides information on the shortest and cheapest routes around the island, by bus, train or car.
'We found that the existing platforms were difficult to use,' said Mr Dominic Ee, another co-founder.
It is sure to give websites like Transit Link's journey planner and Google Maps a run for their money after catching the eye of the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
LTA is collaborating with Gothere to develop this integrated public and private transport travel advisory site, and will spend up to $100,000 from its own $50 million innovation fund.
Mrs Rosina Howe-Tan, LTA's group director and chief innovation officer, said she was alerted to the existence of Gothere. She asked them in to give a presentation and was impressed by Gothere's accuracy.
The friends created their own maps by driving through every road in Singapore and taking note of bus stops and train stations over seven months. With LTA on its side, Gothere now has access to maps and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) information that it could not have otherwise.
The Gothere team has expanded to five after the three Chinese High alumni, all 27, met Swedish Web designer Jussi Edlund, 28, a Singapore resident who shares a passion for promoting efficient public transport, and Mr Ang Junhan, 26, online.
The online community has embraced start-ups like Gothere, which is now working with Web start-up Hungrygowhere.com to incorporate restaurant listings and ratings on its website.
'To get mentioned in the Budget is a big thing for not just the small companies but also the larger corporations. I think this will encourage start-ups to create new products and they know that they will get the recognition from the Government,' Mr Toh said.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Janaury 23, 2009.
