The BBVA Microfinance Foundation’s Chilean institution, Fondo Esperanza, launched ‘Somos FE’: an innovative mobile app early this year, and which is now available for iOs and Android.
The MFI developed this App aiming to create new support and contact networks among entrepreneurs, so that they can communicate through the platform, find business opportunities together, know more about other people’s enterprising experiences, buy and sell products, as well as to get in touch with their loan officers and branch offices.
Under the slogan ‘Now Somos FE is for everyone! Also available for iPhone!’ the technical team has been working on a new version to boost its usage and urge new entrepreneurs to join this virtual community. “The main innovation is its availability for iPhone. We understood that one of Somos FE’s added value is that it should be an inclusive platform, where, aside from strengthening the ties among entrepreneurs, it should also be accessible for everyone”, confirms Alina Díaz, Contents manager for Somos FE.
Another new feature consists of its user-friendliness: the new ‘I’m interested’ button will enhance business opportunities and marketing networks among the entrepreneurs. Additionally, they would be able to upload up to four pictures to be posted, as well as to edit and delete comments.
“Somos FE is very similar to Facebook, but intended to be applied as a tool within the organization so that the entrepreneurs could strengthen their relationships among them and at the same time, with the Fondo Esperanza offices. The idea is to make users see that Somos FE is a new and efficient communication channel, to allow them to have a great experience as community entrepreneurs”, explains Carla Grandón, project manager for Somos FE and Village Bank Members Communication in Fondo Esperanza.
This app is exclusive for the entrepreneurs served by the institution and currently boasts of 17 thousand registered members in Chile, an innovative step within the microfinance sector.