A new Naperville, Illinois, startup wants to make networking easier for everyday employees. Whether they are at a conference, happy hour or networking mixer, Yujj thinks there’s an easier way to share information other than business cards.
The company makes “smart business cards” with NFC (near-field communication) chips for employees to carry a digital profile that links to an app instead of a traditional business card. Users simply tap the card to a smartphone, and the technology will allow them to instantly transfer their contact to another person's phone.
With its global headquarters in Naperville, Yujj wants to stand out in what is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace.
"If you Google 'digital business cards,' there are already a lot out there. But we’re different in a few ways," Amanda Adams with Yujj told Chicago Inno. "We have analytics that give the users insights into where their connections are."
Yujj also gives users customizable options such as linking to their social media or website.
Yujj CEO Biplab Chaudhuri came up with the idea while at a conference when he realized there was a better way to network than handing out business cards that ultimately end up in the trash.
"He came up with this idea and said, 'What if we could create a smart card that has a QR code on it?' It's easy to scan, [and] if somebody didn't have cell service, it automatically gives you a place to link calendars and connect," Adams said.
Adams described it as disruptive business and wants to get Yujj in the hands of as many people as possible in 2023 because the only way that they will get comfortable using it is by trying it.
“We’re trying to partner with as many local organizations as we can and give them free trials for a card," she added.
The company’s goal is to reach a million cards in 2023.
