Introducing One Minute London and their founder Nelson Sivalingam, who’s attending our FoodTech startups dinner tomorrow evening at The Open Kitchen.

What’s the elevator pitch for your startup?

One Minute London is the first bookable video guide to eating and drinking that allows restaurants, bars and pop ups to convert viewers into bookings instantly while giving customers the opportunity to look before they book. 

What were you doing before you launched your startup?

I was running a film and video production company.

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?

There have been many ‘hindsight’ moments but I guess that’s part and parcel of being a startup and venturing into a new space. However, the biggest one was when we finally nailed our value proposition and consequently our pricing model after having tried several different models. It’s a reminder that you should always question the way you are doing things. 

What will 2014 bring?

This year we’ll be diversifying into other areas of the hospitality and leisure industry and taking the brand to other cities – oh and there’s a new website in the pipeline! 

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the food space?

Don’t over think it! Go out and test your idea as soon as possible. We started selling our product even before we had created our product. Every time someone said no, I would ask them why. If the reason popped up a few times I would incorporate it into our product offering so by the time we launched our beta version we had a good understanding of what our customers wanted. 

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.

Whether it’s a first date or a mate’s birthday, you no longer need to depend on marketing fluff and reviews with questionable credibility to decide on where to go. With One Minute London, you can – See it. Like it. Book it. All within the video. 

What’s your favourite startup in the food space (not including your own)?

I like the work GrubClub, Boppl and The Food Assembly do!

What’s your favourite London restaurant?

Trattoria Da Aldo – one of the oldest sole traders in Soho.

Thanks Nelson! See you at the dinner table tomorrow evening.

Thanks to our partner, Taylor Wessing, for their continued support.