The idea for Let’s Zoip came about when COVID-19 became a reality. It was an opportunity to go online again, according to co-founder Desiree van Maasakker. “Video calls suddenly became incredibly important, and in our view, the market had stood still since Skype. Time for a change!”
The Let’s Zoip platform is more than just a video-calling programme. It is also a tool for businesses and organisations to give virtual tours during video calls, without people having to visit the location in person. Let’s Zoip aims to help people connect with others in as many ways as possible. This was almost essential during the lockdowns, but many businesses still value it highly.
The most important thing for Desiree was maintaining human interaction in the online world. “You want to make sure that a call like that doesn’t suddenly become impersonal, because then you’ve missed the mark. Compare it to the real world – it’s nicer to sit next to someone than opposite them. That’s why ‘Create Human Connections’ is our slogan.”
Through education
Desiree did not enter the world of online calls by chance. In 1999, she started her first venture: an internet platform that connected people. A kind of precursor to social media, actually. Desiree then started more internet companies: in web hosting, RSS feeds and in the creative corner, with 3D animations. "So I already had a lot of knowledge and experience in setting up online businesses. COVID-19 was, in my eyes, an opportunity to innovate the market."
The starting shot for Let's Zoip came from a secondary school that knocked on Desiree's and her associate Tom Peters' door, asking whether Let's Zoip could also offer their virtual reality services online. The school wanted to remain visible during lockdowns, and the open day was coming up. "We were just working out similar plans at the time, but focused on trade shows. This idea from the high school was so good that we took it up immediately. That's how our online tours were born. I also found education a very nice market to work for. Imagine you are in grade 8, and have to choose a school you are not allowed to enter. Then an online tour like this can help you immensely on your way! That made it rewarding work."
Getting started
In the start-up phase, it was hard work. Besides the system Let's Zoip was developing for schools and digital tours, they did not want to drop their exhibition idea either. Namely, they were working on a tool that allows people to share and view 3D models. So they did two projects simultaneously: 3D simulation and tours side by side.
Once Let's Zoip's platform was in place, that was not the end of the challenges. "We ended up delivering our online tours to dozens of different schools and that went very well. Until they all held their virtual open day in our platform at the same time. Hundreds of people per school walking through the buildings online with our solution. Our servers squeaked and creaked, and eventually overloaded. You can't try everything, sometimes you just have to experience it. Now we can say: our system can take a lot and we know exactly where the limit is."
Never ending
Since that mega open day, Let's Zoip has learned a lot. "We now really have a market-ready product. To be fair, in my eyes it is never finished. We deliver software as a service (SaaS), and you constantly keep updating products like that. But the teething problems are now out of the way. The next step is perhaps even more important: making choices."
Entrepreneurship is also about making choices, excluding target groups. That is where Let's Zoip is now in the middle. It was also one of the learning points of the Business Angels Network Nijmegen (BANN). "We have a good story, but we are still missing a focus target group. Which sector and which country? What solution do you really offer?"
Two conclusions came from the preparations for BANN, says Desiree. "We already have a lot of traction in the education sector. Schools are happy with our solution and also see opportunities in it. It is also a nice market to work in: you help children with it. The second focus is towards recruitment. Nationwide, it is a challenge for employers to get staff, and our software can be excellently combined with a vacancy. We feel there are opportunities there!"
"Before you are allowed to pitch at BANN, there is an introductory period. I think that's an excellent idea: you get help from coaches through Briskr to prepare yourself as well as possible. That way you get everything very focused. It was also a nice confirmation for me as a spokesperson that I enjoyed being in front of a group of people and convincing them!"
