Arpan Patel doesn't see why the next great Internet
"It" site has to come from one of the coasts. His new venture, Spendji.com, aims to be just that but from downtown
Detroit.
"The Internet shouldn't be geographic," Patel
says. "If you're out there, you're out there. There's no reason the next
Facebook shouldn't come out of
Detroit."
Spendji is a combination of the
words "spend" and the "ji" put at the end of the names out
of respect. It's also a play on words in homage to Benji, one of the founders'
favorite TV shows growing up.
The web site's software specializes in helping people plan,
organize, budget and follow through on projects, activities and events. The idea is to utilize the Internet to help people become
more connected, informed, productive and spend their money more efficiently.
The Web site quietly launched earlier this year out of
downtown's First National Building
but is now starting to build a buzz for itself. It's hosting events, including a launch party at
the Centaur Bar on Thursday evening, as the two founders, Patel and Mark Crawford, try to take it
mainstream.
"It's been off to a pretty good start," Patel
says. "People have been signing up and we have been surprised with how
much they are using it."
The firm is made up of the two founders but Patel sees it
hiring more people soon if it takes off like he and Crawford believe it will.
Right now the company is looking into starting a second round of fundraising from
local sources to help push the project forward.
"I'd much rather stay here," Patel says.
"We'd much rather stay in Detroit or Ann Arbor. Those are both
ideal locations for us."
Source: Arpan Patel, co-founder of Spendji
Writer: Jon Zemke
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