Sooqini launches app for Londoners to outsource tasks and plans European expansion

Sooqini, is a new mobile and online marketplace for London and the company hopes to provide ways for users to get daily things done by taking up offers from businesses and individuals.

With the selection of task-based applications available to us, it’s a surprise that many of us do anything for ourselves. That said, more choice can mean better deals and for many people there are too few hours in the day.

We know already that Task Rabbit is headed to London, Juggle can find people for odd jobs as can Milk.ly and People per Hour can sort out freelancers. It seems that the task market is evolving and finding niches to match the right person to an assignment.

London-based Sooqini (pronounced like the vegetable and incorporating part of the word ‘souk’ – as in the French or Arabic for open-air market), says that it already has thousands of people signed up. The matches in these cases are between users looking to get things done and local people and businesses that might be able to help.

The process works by posting a task and what you are willing to pay, then others can offer their expertise if they like your offer. As with many of these apps, the people doing the work are rated so you can judge who you like best from the offerings.

Interestingly, you don’t have to come up with something you need urgently to make use of the app. There’s a browsing element where users can see what is available nearby for inspiration or a bit of shopping to see what’s on offer.

So far there is a mix of personal tasks that might suit individuals and work that may be better taken on by businesses. Work such as singing lessons, home massage, standing in the queues for the Olympic opening ceremonies and putting together flat-pack furniture are all listed along with fetching lunch and other tasks that can ease users through their day.

Sooqini is supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Judith Moreton Dealmaker at the UKTI’s Global Entrepreneurship Programme commented “GEP is proud to be supporting an exciting new company like Sooqini, and is particularly pleased with its potential to build communities, and to bring many more people into the paid work sector in these difficult economic times.”

Following the London launch, Sooqini has plans to extend its service to the whole of the UK, and then Europe. The mobile app is currently available on iOS and an Android version is on the way.

➤ Sooqini: iOS | Web