Yippi is the brainchild of TOGL – a wholly-owned subsidiary of TOGA Limited. Nobody could have foreseen that Yippi would go on to be the most downloaded super social messaging app not just in Malaysia but in different parts of the globe. Currently, the app has hit 3 million active users and it is moving forward quickly.
TOGL is proof that the size of the team doesn’t equal the scale of impact. We had a chance to interview Freddy Chia Kah See, CTO of TOGL Technology Sdn Bhd and one of the Yippi app creators to share about the company’s flagship product and how the app evolved from a social messaging app to become a super-app with millions of users.
Yippi: A multi-purpose app
When Freddy and the team developed the social messaging app back in 2016, they wanted to solve a real-world 21st-century app problem – where people need to download multiple apps for different usages. Nearly four years later, Yippi has evolved to be the first-ever free super social messaging app incorporated with multi-features, including social communication, live streaming, e-commerce, entertainment and attractive stickers.
The company is proud of the progress that they have made on the app in just a short time. According to Freddy, Yippi, in its quest to be user-friendly, was able to replace a few apps with its various programmes offered.
The fastest-growing app in the market
Explaining what was fuelling the growth of the app’s popularity, he explained that the app has fascinating features that include Mini Programs – which are lightweight applications that offer a diverse range of functions without the need for users to download separate programmes or leave the app.
He added that the Mini Video feature enables users to create a video from 1 minute up to 5 minutes using available creative features like visual and auditory effects and stickers and upload the video for other users to view. Users can earn popularity and monetize the uploaded video at the same time too.
“With the app, we created a platform for local and international singers to hold global exclusive online concerts. For instance, we had Masya Masyitah, a rising Malaysian singer, who held her first solo concert on Yippi in September 2020, and won our inaugural “Star Quest” live streaming competition three months later. And, throughout the competition period, users tipped their favourite contestants, which in turn, provided a substantial revenue stream for us,” Freddy explained.
Other than entertainment facets, Yippi also provides cashless service for TogaGo travel booking, mobile phone reloads, “Rest N Go” massage chair and Red Box entertainment – all within a single app.
Yippi focuses on improving users’ experience
To better understand what their users want on the app, the team keeps improving it to give a better experience to the users to explore. TOGL has recently launched Yippi X – a step up from its previous version, Yippi 5. The latest and upgraded version dubbed as the perfect evolution for the social messaging app.
“Yippi X represents a total upgrade in terms of its technical perspective as well as its user interfaces. In line with Yippi’s tagline of “Let the World Know You”, the app is refined and more powerful. We focus on bringing users closer to the virtual world through its newly enhanced social and messaging features.”
“Yippi has become the best companion for users’ day-to-day communication and work performance. It acts as their very own personal assistant. As we are living in a world dominated by advanced technology, this app makes it easy for users to use and becomes part of their life,” he shared.
Solving SMBs and SMEs problems
Speaking on how the app helps businesses especially, SMBS and SMEs weathering tough times, Freddy said they brought Yippi X Merchant Program to the table to help affected businesses as much as they could.
“The program provides SMBs and SMEs with an opportunity to create, improve their online positioning to meet their customers wherever they are – besides attracting customers to visit their physical or online store.”
The program is joined by over 2,000 world’s leading brands, including Red Box, Eostre, Gintell, Black Whale, and Empire Shopping Gallery.
Incredible milestones
TOGL moves so fast and they have achieved such an incredible journey full of notable achievements. They were among the few technology companies that have achieved rapid growth in business development during these trying times.
They have won several awards such as Golden Bull Award – Top 100 Outstanding SMEs, The BrandLaureate SMEs in the category Best Brands e-Branding Award and a few more prestigious awards. However, the most notable achievement was when the team was invited by Alibaba Cloud to be featured in a video.
Freddy imagines that Yippi will be able to be the largest app in South East Asia and soon become the top social messaging app in the ASEAN region. He is proud of the progress they have made since entering the market, but his desire to continue developing and upgrading new technology to benefit all walks of life is still strong.
The takeaway
With a strong presence and enthusiasm, Yippi now seeks to grow as fast as it can through its platform. Freddy sees tons of opportunities awaiting them out there.
“Yippi will continue to offer an even larger platform for young creators and provide a one-stop solution for SMBs and SMEs for our customers. Besides, we would like to encourage the young generation to create their own businesses, become entrepreneurs and be the masters of their own life.”
For Freddy, the key for TOGL or any start-up is to tackle the ambitious goal with leverage. “We are not only want to enjoy what we create but to reach as many people as possible with our creations. We will have the muscle to make it all happen,” he ended.
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