Filling a void in the market

IN 2014, Neil Saligrama saw the need to provide end-to-end solutions for people seeking to move or avail better energy deals, insurance services, removalists and internet providers.

"There were utility companies offering their own products, and comparison services offering to help people change their current provider, but no one was offering both connection services and comparison services under one roof easily," Mr Saligrama said.

"I saw an unaddressed market and realised that both could be handled under the one roof."

And so Compare & Connect was born - a one-stop-shop allowing consumers to make better-informed decisions when it comes to selecting gas and electricity plans, telecommunications, insurance, finance and more.

Since its inception, the company has helped more than 500,000 Australians connect to a better deal.

Mr Saligrama said many companies have attempted to provide both comparison and connection services, but not to the same breadth and scale.

He said while Compare & Connect presented customers with a variety of deals, it was done in an easily-digestible manner.

"Our business is built on simplifying things," Mr Saligrama said.

"It can be such a complex industry and customers needed someone to simplify the process and present it in an understandable format that can be comprehended."

While Compare & Connect strives to provide consumers with a vast number of deals and services, not every deal is presented.

"However, the team works hard at ensuring there is a wide choice," Mr Saligrama said.

"We have a wide variety of all major Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies which gives market coverage and choice for our customers to make decisions for themselves.

"It's very important that our policies are clear. We are very transparent, we only advertise the plans for the retailers we work with. We provide a wide variety of choice, and we do everything onshore.

"Our HQ is in Melbourne and we are fully Australian owned and operated."

Fuelled by consumers seeking out better options and prices, as well as the desire to save on time, the comparison company's rise has been driven by innovation, technology and the nature of the internet.

"We take an omnichannel approach to business," Mr Saligrama said.

"If you don't want to talk to anyone in the centre, we have a full online model that is technology driven and the customer can pick and choose what is right for them.

"But then if you feel you need to talk to someone, that's available too. You can ring us and we will process everything for you."

For more information and to get connected, visit compareandconnect.com.au