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Another week, another selection of new business ideas from around the world: solar-roasted coffee and private airport garages in the US, dietary advice by cellphone in Japan, free motorcycle taxis in the Netherlands, and more. Our next edition is due on 27 June 2007. In the meantime, check out our daily postings on www.springwise.com, send us your tips, and please don't forget to tell your friends and colleagues about us. Much appreciated! |
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What do you get when you cross online classified ads with web-based video? Realpeoplerealstuff.com is equal parts Craigslist and YouTube—a whole new way for customers to reach out to one another to sell their used appliances, automobiles, collectibles, concert tickets and countless other goods and services. “Realpeoplerealstuff.com combines the hottest internet trends in one, easy-to-use site: e-commerce, snarky writing, funny videos, everyone's desire to be a star and video sharing.” With a few clicks of a mouse, customers can upload their own video commercials, recorded on their camcorders, webcams, digital cameras or cameraphones. Ads are organized by category and location, and users can enter text descriptions, prices, thumbnail photos and tags along with their video clips. For best results, users are encouraged to engage their personality, creativity and sense of humour when filming their commercials. And who knows? One may well turn out to be the next average Joe or Jane launched into internet stardom. The service is entirely free—for now at least, though there may come a day when, like Craigslist, modest charges apply to select portions. Realpeoplerealstuff.com improves on two of the top trends on the internet—videos and classified ads—by combining them. And it's a smart new use of personal video, especially considering the number of people who are growing accustomed to using their cellphones or digicams to create and upload their own videos. With classifieds, videos obviously a useful extra layer of information, especially when it comes to renting apartments or selling cars and other large items. Definitely one to start up locally. (Related: Hotel search? Video completes the picture.) Website: www.realpeoplerealstuff.com Spotted by: Ozgur Alaz
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Business travellers stuck in traffic on their way to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport were in luck last week, as knights in shining leather were ready to zip them off to their flight on the back of a motorcycle. Three yellow bikes covered the busiest roads near Amsterdam between 7 and 11 am, and were reachable via a designated phone number. Each bike held a second driver, ready to take a stranded driver's car to Schiphol's Valet Parking, where it could be picked up after the trip. The bikes used can easily stow a piece of carry-on luggage and briefcase, and passengers were provided with a helmet. Last week's motorcycle taxis were a try-out service by a new Dutch website for business travellers, Bizztrip. Bizztrip aims to be a no-nonsense travel portal for entrepreneurs who book their own travel. Whether flying first class or low-cost, customers are offered an array of extra services, including visa handling and travel to the airport. Bizztrip is currently evaluating whether it will make motortaxi saviours one of its standard features. Seems like a smart move, though pricing would have to be fairly high to cover the cost of two drivers and the time they spend driving around seeking customers in need. While Virgin Airlines offer Virgin LimoBikes in the UK, and private motorcycle taxis cater to travellers in other countries, the option to be rescued from a car stuck in a traffic jam seems new. One for airlines or limo companies to set up in other countries? Could also be a great service for motorcycle brands to sponsor. Website: www.bizztrip.com
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Over the past few years, luxury garage condominiums have been popping up around the US. Secure and climate controlled spaces that are larger than typical storage units, condo garages are used to store boats, expensive cars and other collections. Now, a Colorado company has carved out a new niche in the growing market: Airport Garages sells units near airports in towns with high numbers of second homes. Their first facilities opened in Vail, Colorado. Owners can park their car in the garage while they're away, providing a secure haven for their vehicle and ensuring they'll be able to drive straight from the airport to their ski chalet. The units also have plenty of storage space for skis, jet skis and other toys. In addition, benefits include automobile services — car starting, tire and battery maintenance, oil changes, etc — and use of a private clubhouse. Deluxe units in Vail (12' x 28', USD 75,000) are sold out, but standard units (12' x 22', USD 52,900) are still available. Catering to transumers, too, units can also be rented for USD 289-339 per month. More Airport Garages are in the works: Steamboat Springs and Telluride/Montrose in Colorado and Salt Lake City in Utah will open late 2007, and Kiawah Island, South Carolina, will follow early 2008. Where possible, garages are built steps away from the airport terminal. Otherwise, shuttles are available to bring members from the terminal to their car. Clever niche that should work well in any region with a healthy second home market. (Related: Five star hotel for cars.) Website: www.airportgarages.com Spotted by: Barry Zweibel
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Most dieticians agree that food awareness and healthy eating habits beat a fad diet any day. The problem is that most people don't have the discipline, time or interest to continuously track what they're eating and how many calories each meal or snack adds to their daily intake. A practical solution has been launched in Osaka, where a Tokyo medical equipment maker is working with public health officials to help consumers keep tabs on what they're digesting. How it works? Before lifting their chopsticks, users take a picture of their meal with their cellphone's camera. They send the picture to the system, and nutritionists analyse the meal and its nutritional value, following up with advice on necessary adjustments. Feedback follows within three days. Users can also get more information online, and upload photos from digital cameras. The system is being trialled with 100 cardiac, diabetes and obesity patients, and is hoped to rein in growing health problems caused by growing waistlines in Japan, especially of men in their 20s and 30s. A similar commercial service has been available in Canada and the US for a while. Canadian MyFoodPhone also gets users to send in pictures of what they're eating, creating a running nutrition diary. Once a week, a nutritionist advises the client on how they’re doing and what they need to improve. Uploading to a diary is free, and weekly advice comes at a monthly cost of USD 9.99. While the Japanese system delivers feedback faster than MyFoodPhone, the killer app would be one that comes back with an instant response and tips. Which could be made possible using sophisticated image recognition software, or trained operators who are available 24/7. Given worldwide health issues related to obesity and the near ubiquity of cameraphones, this could be huge. Website: www.myfoodphone.com (no website for Osaka project) Spotted by: Bertjan van Dijk
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Customers who want to start their day on an ecologically friendly note may want to fill their mugs with Solar Roast Coffee—a fresh new brew for java lovers that is roasted using clean abundant solar energy. Based in Pueblo, Colorado, Solar Roast Coffee uses only 100% organic or fair trade coffee beans. Their special solar-powered roasting technique ensures the least impact on the environment. Not just a regular roaster powered by solar panels, Solar Roast’s Helios 2.0 catches rays of sunshine directly on a drum roaster filled with beans. The roaster is capable of reaching temperatures upwards of 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and swivels and tilts allowing it to track the sun throughout the day. No fossil fuels are burned to heat the beans, and no electric connection is needed to power the roaster’s fans and motors. The result? Likely the most earth-friendly coffee available on the market—and one the owners are hoping will be a hit with consumers. The first Solar Roast Cafe opened in Pueblo early this year, and the company already has plans to open more locations in the western U.S, and also operates an online store. Coffees begin around USD 12 per pound. While speciality coffeehouses and roasters are nothing new, this very hands-on application of solar power adds a novel twist and true-green eco credentials. Key element? Fossil-free roasting makes for a great story for customers to share with their friends. (See trendwatching.com’s still made here for more on stories and status.) One to set up in sunny cities across the world: Perth, Barcelona, L.A….? Website: www.solarroast.com Spotted by: Barbara Winter
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Americans who are in the market for new automobiles, but don't want the headaches of searching or haggling for the best price, now have an alternative that can help them sidestep the usual dealership woes—No Haggles, a new car buying service that promises to save customers time and money by negotiating all of the details of the sale on their behalf. Started by former car dealership managers, No Haggles negotiates with dealerships in a customer's area to negotiate price, financing, warranty and trade-in allowance, when necessary, for a small fee. Customers contact No Haggles directly by phone or e-mail with information about the make and model of car they are looking for, including any desired add-ons or special features. No Haggles shops local dealerships for the customer to find the vehicle at the best available price and facilitates the entire transaction. At no point is the customer contacted by anyone but their No Haggles representative, who even participates as a signing party on the buyer's agreement and can provide the customer with a detailed report of the negotiations. The representative is right there through all steps of the sales process, including delivery and inspection of the vehicle. While certain dealers have long offered no-haggle pricing, No Haggles is unique in that it's not affiliated with any particular brand or seller. Customers can use the service to negotiate sales on any make or model. No Haggles currently serves customers throughout the United States, but the best-deal-without-haggling concept could easily be duplicated or expanded upon. In fact, the company is already running a test market program with the largest U.S. auto insurance company to further serve its customers. Website: www.nohaggles.com Spotted by: Marcus Sanchez
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According to European Union legislation that came into effect in 2005, airline passengers are entitled to financial compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, or if they're bumped from an overbooked flight. However, passengers aren't always aware of what they're entitled to, or don't have time to claim compensation. Which is where EUclaim comes in. A Dutch agency that launched in January, EUclaim processes claims on behalf of passengers, charging a contingent fee of 27% of successfully claimed compensation. In the five months since they got started, the company has netted its clients over EUR 100,000, averaging EUR 400-500 per passenger. Besides an easy online form that evaluates whether a claim is likely to result in compensation, EUclaim operates a desk at Schiphol Airport's departure terminal, and plans to open additional desks at London and Frankfurt airports. The agency also offers multinationals bulk discounts for processing claims on behalf of employees. While compensation isn't regulated by law in the US or most other non-EU countries, carriers do offer various degrees of compensation. Airline-specific policies may include reimbursement for meals, hotel rooms or phone calls. One to start up regionally? In a broader perspective, keeping track of new laws and regulations can often uncover potentially lucrative business opportunities. Hey—how's that for a new business: plough through all locally applicable regulation changes, specifically on the lookout for entrepreneurial opportunities. Post them online, for free, and you could grow a high-traffic website, generating revenue from related (premium) services or advertising. Website: www.euclaim.com
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