Appanda expands Resolute Games' reach beyond iPhone

A spectacular failure.

That's how Chris Przybyszewski describes his startup venture into the world of iPhone apps.

Although Resolute Games & Apps -- the company Przybyszewski founded nearly two years ago -- generated plenty of buzz after it created high-profile iPhone apps for Elvis and ArtsMemphis, the entrepreneur soon discovered that keeping the business running meant expanding his technological reach.

"We tried being just an iPhone company, but all this incredible work we were doing wasn't making enough money to attract new investors," Przybyszewski said. "When you only play in one sandbox, you limit yourself. Now we're playing in everyone's sandboxes, playing everyone's tools."

And thus Appanda was born.

Developed by Przybyszewski's team at Resolute, Appanda is a software platform that supports both iPhone and Android apps and offers enough user-friendly functions to appeal to most budget-conscious small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The name refers to the company's mascot -- a panda -- that was adopted to give the impression that creating apps is fun and friendly.

Przybyszewski said the new offering will revolutionize the way businesses interact with customers.

Still in its beta phase, Appanda will be ready to roll by the beginning of 2010. For the less-than-tech-savvy, the software platform will offer plenty of online video tutorials and directions to guide customers in setting up their apps.

Clients pay a one-time setup fee of $99 and then $29 a month to maintain and update their apps on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The benefit to small firms on tight budgets is obvious, said Resolute's chief technical officer, James Ruffer.

"For under $30 a month, business owners can get their apps in different marketplaces and because it's measurable, they can immediately see if mobile computing is right for them," Ruffer said. "Our view is that before long, every person and every business will have a customized app."

Przybyszewski agreed.

"Ten years ago, having your own Web site was considered cutting edge and now practically every business has one," Przybyszewski said. "It's going to be the same way with apps, and before long, having an app will be a necessary form of communication for everyone across the world."

Already about two dozen entrepreneurs are using Appanda to promote their brands, and Przybyszewski is bracing for an upsurge in users because of the exploding popularity of smartphones.

In the few weeks that Lisa "The Hair Doctor" Akbari has used the Appanda interface to promote her World Trichology Institute, more than 200 people have downloaded her app. And she expects that number to keep on growing.

"This is a creative way to make myself accessible and reach a demographic that I might not have had access to through traditional methods," Akbari said. "It's pretty cool and I'm excited about the potential. I see this as a way to attract a larger audience that ultimately will manifest itself in new dollars."

Another Appanda user, Tickets for Troops founder Tony Benedetti, said the app created for his nonprofit organization offers an economical way to let people know about his group.

"It's affordable and makes us instantly accessible, which is great for an organization like ours that doesn't have a large endowment," Benedetti said. "In four days we had more than 100 downloads, and that's amazing exposure."

For more information on the company, visit online at appanda.com.

-- James Dowd: 529-2737

RESOLUTE Games Corp.

Principal: Chris Przybyszewski, founder and CEO

Founded: 2008

Focus: Mobile phone gaming and smartphone apps

Employees: 24

Contact: 490-5857

Web: resolutegames.com