IDEAS FOR GOODCurrently, the coverage of cell phones around the world exceeds 100% and has even surpassed more than 90% in developing nations. In view of this, an app was launched in July last year in developing nations. This app makes international support available through smartphone photography while providing assistance to people in these nations.
The app is COW, a platform that enables users from both developed and developing nations to contribute in the curtailment of poverty through photo purchases and sales. Users are able to sell photos they’ve taken with their smartphones at a starting rate of 2 dollars per picture, while money transactions are handled by mobile remittance or bank transfer. This thus offers an income stream for people in developing countries. On the other hand, it becomes a solid mechanism for developed countries to easily support these activities. Currently, services are expanding primarily in Cambodia and Japan.
I had the opportunity to ask COW Inc.’s CEO, Mr Ooki, about the differences between their service and international support in Cambodia, the launch of this service, and how they are able to offer international assistance through the use of photography.
Supporting lives through smartphone photography
Q. Why did you start this business?
We were primarily an IT company that focused on sales. It also meant that we were not specialized in the field of international cooperation. However, every now and then the problem of income disparity around the world would pop into my mind.
When we think of the phrase “developing countries”, many people tend to imagine people who have a problem procuring food, clothing and shelter. In actuality, there are many middle class populations living between extreme poverty and wealth and not within poor households. One such country is Cambodia. Cambodia may have a negative image due to things like the civil war and land mines, but it is actually quite developed, thanks to an economic growth of approximately 7% per annum. Moreover, it isn’t rare to own a car and a smartphone in metropolitan areas.
Traditional support from Japan mainly comes from the government’s Official Development Assistance Program or NGOs. But I thought that we could introduce new support targeting those in the middle class. This is the reason why I decided to create a revenue opportunity by utilizing smartphones.
Q. How did the name, COW, come about?
Cows have existed throughout history as partners who help support the lives of human beings. They also symbols of wealth or sacred animals in some countries. This concept inspired the name. It is also our hope that our company provides the same image just as cows have done over the course of human history.
Q. Who are the main users of the app?
The majority of our users are students. This is most likely because most of them probably have a smartphone and were already uploading content to platforms such as Facebook.
Moreover, current Cambodian living expenses is rigid due to high commodity prices within the city. Our company would like these city people to use this app as a way to gain living expenses too.
Q. How do the people in developed countries use the purchased photos?
Because there are sales of cheap photos that can be bought through other service platforms, we at COW first thought that we couldn’t be sell them as something tangible.
At first, we thought we wouldn’t be able to sell the photos as something tangible. There were also other platforms selling cheap photos. However, individuals tend to purchase the photos for personal entertainment.
Q. How would you like COW to help transform Cambodia?
One change we want to make is allow people to make an income. There is a negative perception against developing nations, such as people are too poor to afford housing and clothing. But in reality, most people living in these countries are from the middle class. This is why I think it is necessary to raise awareness in the developed countries.
I would be delighted if COW can increase communication between both types of countries. There would then be more understanding between both sides, especially of those from developing nations. It might also create a new way to see the world.
Q. Do you have plans to develop in other countries outside of Cambodia?
Currently, we are conducting research within Laos and Myanmar to see how we can move into those countries. We are also searching for business partners, and even considering expanding into Africa. First, we will need to find important local partners to ensure successful development.
We are also confronted with issue with payment. Not many people hold bank accounts in developing countries. For example, only 20% of Cambodian nationals have one. In developing countries, penetration rates such as mobile remittances without regular financial institutions are high, so we are choosing countries where it is possible to use them.
[Reference Site] COW Inc.[Reference Site] ITU Statistics
This article was originally published on IDEAS FOR GOOD.
Translated by Maurice Skinner.
