‘How it was named’ is a series where I explore the creation of brand names that have caught my interest. This edition features Vishal Rupani of Sprect

 

1] Tell us about Sprect; what do you do?

 

Sprect is an online marketplace designed to make professionals accessible to people who need their expertise, instantly; one can get personalised advice from experienced professionals across fields, whether it’s from a seasoned entrepreneur, a tech expert or a renowned academic… pretty much anyone. Think of it as the ‘Amazon for advice’. We’ve made access to people and knowledge simple.

 

No subscriptions, no hidden charges, no contracts, no risk — just authentic interactions that benefit both parties, without unnecessary weight or barriers. Whether you’re looking to monetize your time or give back by advising and mentoring others, it’s a platform that puts purpose over process.

 

2] And why do you do it?

 

Mohit Khadaria (my co-founder) and I were both frustrated by how broken mentorship and networking are, and set out to change that.

 

We’ve all heard that rhetoric about the power of connections but the reality is most networks are just about numbers, focusing on bigger rather than better. Those zillion connections that we have on social media platforms don’t really achieve a thing if they’re not meaningful and you can’t really access people when you really need them.

 

It started as an idea for a mentor-mentee platform, where real connections happen and one that makes it easier to make impact — whether it’s giving back to society, helping a student in a remote village or helping someone navigate a culture transition. Mohit and I wanted to build a space where knowledge is shared without any gatekeepers. And so, Sprect was born.

 

3] What values inform your ‘why’?

 

It’s all about the authenticity, accessibility, and impact. I believe in creating real value — whether that’s through the advice you offer or the connections you foster.

 

Too often, people with valuable knowledge are locked behind paywalls or exclusive networks or geographical distances. It’s about making it easy for those connections to happen without the layers of friction, without the layers of formality, without you having to send cold emails, DMs, without you having to beg for introductions. That’s pretty much what guides us. At Sprect, we’re creating a space where knowledge is shared with purpose so both experts and those seeking advice walk away feeling that they’ve gained something valuable.

 

4] How did you end up with the name Sprect? (did you work with an agency, undertake trademark searches and registration, indicative costs…)

 

We needed something unique that could stand out, something that would give us room to grow without getting buried in search results. We needed something short, something memorable and most importantly, available as a ‘.com’ domain. Names like superconnect.com were already taken or came with too much competition and SEO. So after a lot of brainstorming and domain availability lookups, we finally landed on Sprect (a blend of super and connect) and it felt like a perfect match for a platform whose mission is to connect people quickly.

We did not work with an agency but we did look for trademark violations. Now as we promote Sprect, people are starting to realise and absorb the name.

 

5] What did you almost call it before deciding on ‘Sprect’?

 

While brainstorming we explored several terms like a helper, an advisor or a consultant and how we could incorporate them, but none of them quite captured the essence of what we were building. VelocityHelp, InsightConnect, and Advicce were some of the names we considered. We wanted something that felt fresh and that was unique while still reflecting the core idea of connecting people for valuable insights.

 

6] How important is a business name according to you?

 

Super important! The name is our first impression. It’s not the be-all-and-end-all but it’s the starting point… it’s the doorway into everything you are building. A good name has to resonate. It should carry meaning but also leave some space for people to make their own connections with it.

 

With a name like Sprect we think it’s like a spark, it gets people interested and piques curiosity without overwhelm. The other key criteria was that the name has to feel authentic to us and reflect what we stand for, not just because it’s trendy or easy. So when we landed on Sprect it felt like an invitation or a call to action. We weren’t really trying to be flashy, it was just honest.

 

7] What one thing do you wish people were aware of about your area of expertise/industry? 

 

I wish more people understood that networking doesn’t have to be a transactional experience. Many networking platforms today are about expanding your list of contacts but that is not what really creates real value. It’s not about handing out your business card or clicking ‘connect’ on LinkedIn… Real connections happen when people share their experiences, their struggles, their lessons. Networking needs to be human, not robotic. It’s about having those honest, open conversations that help you grow rather than just getting some advice that sounds good in theory, but doesn’t apply to you specifically in reality.

 

8] Question for funsies! Fill in the blank: Whatever you do, don’t _____ 

 

Whatever you do, don’t treat your time like it’s infinite. Whether you’re giving it to someone else or investing in your own growth, make it count. Don’t waste it on things that don’t matter, and don’t undervalue what you bring to the table.