On-demand services have been gaining popularity, especially amongst younger audiences. Tapingo, the mobile food ordering app, allows college students to skip the line at their favorite on-campus dining and get back to studying.
The app allows students to pay for their food using their university meal plan or credit card. Once the order is in, the student will get real-time updates as to when the food will be finished, then they can just walk in and pick it up at the counter.
Tapingo has partnered with University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University and would love to work with Arizona State University, according to Vivek Wagle, Tapingo head of marketing.
According to Wagle, students can already use Tapingo with local merchants near the ASU Tempe main campus. A partnership with ASU would allow students to order food at any on-campus eatery.
Tapingo charges participating businesses a small percentage instead of charging the student, Wagle said.
Those who use Tapingo typically use the application on a daily basis, Wagle said. Because of the popularity, the company hopes to expand beyond food orders.
This month, the company raised $22 million led by Qualcomm with DCM Ventures, Kinzon Capital, and existing investors Khosla Ventures and Carmel Ventures participating in the round, bringing the total funding to $ 36 million, according to TechCrunch. With the raise, Tapingo looks to expand into markets outside of college campuses and to turn college students into life-long users.
“We want this to be the one stop shop for when people are doing their mobile commerce,” Wagle said.
Tapingo may not be operating at ASU, but students at UA and NAU are already enjoying the benefits of Tapingo.
Starbucks, In N Out, and Sauce is on Tapingo now… The U of A is a beautiful place to live.
— Rachel Tobler (@racheltobler23) March 31, 2015
Tapingo saves lives. #NAU
— Dana (@DanaLovee) October 9, 2014
For more news about apps check AZ Tech Beat.
This article has been corrected from its original version for clarity.