Weekly newsletter — 16 February 2011Spotted for you this week: personalized recipes sent by Twitter, a beer brand offering purchasers a share in the company, a site profiling a different charity every day, and more. Our next edition is due on 23 February 2011. 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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Numerous ride-sharing programs have graced our virtual pages in recent years, including examples such as Ridekicks that reward participants for sharing. What sets Seattle's go520 program apart, however, is that rides need not be arranged in advance; rather, they can be shared in real time. Launched late last month by transportation technology firm Avego, the go520 program is currently being tested as a way to reduce congestion on Seattle's busy SR 520 highway. Through the state-funded pilot, 250 drivers with GPS-enabled iPhones can now offer the empty seats in their vehicles to 750 riders along the SR 520 highway, in real time, as they travel. Passengers and drivers are matched up through an easy-to-use system using drivers' iPhones — equipped with the free Avego ride-sharing app — and riders' mobile devices. Once a match is made, Avego manages the journey from pick-up to drop-off, providing real-time status updates, automated security features, and electronic micro-payments that allow riders and drivers to share the cost of the journey. Drivers who participate in the program 20 or more times each month are rewarded with a monthly USD 30 gas card along with travel reimbursements. Riders, meanwhile, receive up to USD 30 per month in Avego credit to use towards real-time ride-sharing journeys. Then, too, there are the speedier commutes thanks to participants' ability to use the highway's high occupancy vehicle (HOV) ramps and lanes. Avego's real-time ride-sharing technology is already used by thousands of commuters in more than 65 countries around the world, the company says. A video on YouTube demonstrates the concept in action. Cities around the globe: one to test out as a complement to your own public transportation? (Related: City dwellers enlisted & rewarded for delivering DHL packages — In New Delhi, carpooling system rewards members for giving rides.) Website: go520.avego.com Spotted by: R.P. |
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In India, only three of every 10 girls who enroll in Grade 1 make it all the way through to Grade 10. Aiming to spare more girls the all-too-common fate of being married off early or — worse — sold into sex slavery, The Girl Store is a site where ethically minded consumers can buy Indian girls the supplies they need to keep them in school. Encouraging visitors to help “buy a girl her life back,” in the site's own words, The Girl Store gives shoppers around the world a way to buy Indian girls the pencils, uniforms, backpacks and other equipment they need to attend school. Numerous individual girls are pictured on the site, along with their school-supply needs, each of which can be purchased separately. Additionally, included free with every purchase is a tutoring service for 1.5 hours a day. Once everything has been purchased for a girl, her picture is labeled “off to school,” indicating that her needs have been met. Donations can be made through the site as well. Created by nonprofit Nanhi Kali in cooperation with the Mahindra Foundation, The Girl Store also recently opened a physical presence in New York City. One to sponsor, partner with or otherwise get involved in? (Related: Matching netbook donors with students in need, and forging personal connections — Buy a tie, give a child a school uniform.) Website: www.the-girl-store.org Spotted by: Parul Rohatgi |
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Amid the vast ocean of online dating sites out there, we've begun seeing more and more efforts focusing on platonic friendships instead. First it was Meet Joe; then we came across Companion Tree. The latest spotting? Grubwithus, a site that organizes group restaurant meals with an eye toward helping participants meet new friends. Now serving Chicago and San Francisco — New York is coming soon — Grubwithus organizes what it calls 'social meals' designed to “build friendship over food at restaurants that you've voted to be on the site”. The site works with select restaurants to arrange family-style meals for a fixed price and a fixed length of about two hours. Participants can then sign up for a particular meal, paying the charge in advance in exchange for a ticket to bring to the event. Single-ticket pricing is typically in the USD 20 range, and attendees can see when they sign up who else has made a reservation. In fact, Grubwithus even offers early bookers a cheaper price as a reward “for being brave enough to eat with anyone,” it says. Grubwithus is also privately testing a feature that lets groups plan their own meals. Dating may be an important part of life, but so too are good, steady friends. Keep the platonic mass-mingling innovations coming! (Related: Site helps friends meet up spontaneously -- Event planning site helps friends split the costs.) Website: www.grubwith.us Spotted by: Art Carmichael |
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We've seen services that recommend recipes based on your cravings and even your face, but not until recently did we come across one that delivers recipes upon request via Twitter. Sure enough, however, Spanish food brand Gallina Blanca recently launched an initiative that does just that with free recipes tailored to the ingredients the consumer has on hand. Followers of Gallina Blanca's “¿Qué cocino hoy?” service on Twitter simply send a tweet using the hashtag #quieroreceta and listing the ingredients they want to use. So, someone seeking a recipe that involves tomatoes, ham and carrots, for example, would tweet, “#quieroreceta tomates + jamón + zanahoria.” When it receives the tweet, Gallina Blanca then searches its database for an appropriate recipe and sends a link to it in a direct message to the user. If there isn't a good option, the brand invites the user to try something different. Users can also request alternate suggestions by tweeting “#quieroreceta #otra.” Brand butlers can come in many forms — whether it's a clean restroom when you need it or a ride to school for your kids — but this is surely the first one we've seen on Twitter. Be inspired! Website: www.twitter.com/gallinablanca Spotted by: Leticia Pérez Prieto |
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There are no shortage of deal-a-day providers, offering a huge range of products and services to increasing localized markets. However, the broad scope of these services often results in an overwhelming and unhelpful selection of offers. New service Bevvy aims to offer a more targeted approach. The idea behind Bevvy is a simple one. Subscribers benefit from daily deals at local nightlife venues without any inbox-overloading offers on anything else. Partners also benefit because Bevvy develops long-term relationships with venues, meaning they don’t just gain from one or two weeks of frantic activity, but can build their business in the longer term. Bevvy is now available in eight cities across the US, and with plans in place to create a mobile app which will allow nightclubs to sell tables in real time — the average Hollywood club has 30-40% surplus VIP tables a night — Bevvy has already begun to expand its offerings. Something to apply to nightlife in cities around the world! Website: www.bevvy.com |
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The solar water disinfection method, or SODIS, sounds little too good to be true: simply fill clean plastic bottles with water, then leave them in the sunlight for six to twelve hours and the UV-A rays will kill viruses, bacteria and parasites. The problem, however, is how to ensure the purification process is complete, and this uncertainty has greatly affected the adoption of the SODIS method worldwide. That’s where PotaVida comes in. PotaVida isn’t a water purification system, but rather it’s a way of checking when water has become pure after being subjected to the SODIS method. Created by University of Washington engineering students, the design has received prize money of USD 40,000 after winning the InnoCentive Inc. international competition. Having originally experimented with chemical test strips, the final PotaVida system actually uses an electronic sensor to detect the water’s purity. One of the specifications for the competition was that entries should cost no more than USD 10 to produce. The students calculate that the parts for their design retail at USD 3.40, with bulk buying possibly reducing this even further. PotaVida may have confronted the primary challenge of the SODIS method, but the students will now have to persuade charities and non-profit organizations that their solution is a cost-effective way to save lives. (Related: Water bottle's plunger-style filter purifies instantly — Water bottle with integrated filter purifies as you drink.) Website: www.potavida.org |
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It's been a few years since we've covered an urban winery. Following our look at Crushpad back in 2005, we also featured City Winery in '08. The latest spotting? Now reaching beyond San Francisco and New York, there's The Infinite Monkey Theorem, a winery and tasting club in Denver. The Infinite Monkey Theorem makes no pretensions about having a vineyard of its own. Rather, “we buy the best grapes and we make ridiculously good wine,” in the site's own words. It's primarily local fruit that's used, according to the site, and the results of IMT's efforts are now available in 125 local restaurants, wine bars and stores. Also on offer are private tastings and tours for groups of 10 or more at USD 50 per person, as well as periodic pairing dinners with chefs from local restaurants. USD 1 from each bottle sold is donated to the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Even if a winery has no vineyard of its own, that's not to say it can't still offer a heady dose of (still) made here appeal. Who will open the first local urban winery near you? Website: www.theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com Spotted by: Sarah-Jane Johnson |
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There's something compelling about a website that features something new every day. That's part of the premise behind the Daily Grommet, of course — not to mention all the daily deals out there. Recently, however, we uncovered an example that flips the concept on its head, in a manner of speaking. Rather than encouraging visitors to buy something different each day, Philanthroper hopes they will donate a single dollar to a highlighted charity. Chicago-based Philanthroper continuously scours the nonprofit world for charities worth profiling on its site; it has a preference, it says, for those that are still young. Then, every day, it picks one to feature on its ad-supported site and invites visitors to donate just a single dollar. Philanthroper takes no cut from donations, which are handled by mPayy; the processor itself takes just 1 percent. Philanthroper currently handles only donations from consumers with US bank accounts. Meanwhile, it seeks new nonprofits to feature. Charities and those in other countries: One to partner with and help expand on either end? Website: www.philanthroper.com Spotted by: Troy Tessalone
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Rather than being crowdfunded in the manner of BeerBankroll or OurBrew, Broo is a new Australian beer brand that is giving away shares in its new company with each purchase made. Launched on Australia Day in January this year, Broo aims to be Australian through and through. Now, as part of a one-time offer that continues through the end of this month, it's also aiming to give local buyers of its beer a stake in the company. Consumers need only purchase between one and 50 cartons of Broo online for AUD 54.99 each, and they're entitled to 10 free shares in the company for every carton they purchase. As many as 10 million shares will be given away, according to the company's prospectus. Available also at select Australian retailers, Broo is donating AUD 1 to flood relief from every carton sold. For a brand that's built on (still) made here appeal, channeling shares into local hands is a smart strategy for public relations, in particular. One for inspiration! Website: www.broo.com.au Spotted by: Caralee Caldwell |
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We’ve probably been all been frustrated at some point with the decisions bands might make in their careers, be it a poor choice of album cover art, or even a tour schedule that excludes your home town. Crowdbands aims to put that right, offering users the chance to become record label executives from their homes. Established by Tom Sarig and Peter Sorgenfrei, the Crowdbands label has already signed LA-based band The Donnas. By signing up as a Crowdband member for USD 25 a year, users are entitled to vote on major decisions in The Donnas’ career, from which songs are included on their albums, which artists they should collaborate with, where and where they tour, and even ideas for album cover art. In exchange, not only do members get to see their decisions implemented, they also receive the band’s releases before the general public, as well as special offers and deals on artist’s merchandise and concert tickets. It takes a lot of trust to put your career in the hands of your audience, we'll be watching this one with interest! (Related: Online tool gives musicians one-stop band management — Bands offered a unique website for every song) Website: www.crowdbands.com |
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We've seen plenty of free, online education initiatives in recent years — University of the People is just one example — but it wasn't until recently that we came across a degree program run entirely through Facebook. Yes, that's right, the London School of Business and Finance now offers a free MBA program that's conducted through a Facebook application. Launched in late October, the LSBF Global MBA offers free access to lectures and panel discussion groups online through Facebook. Three studios in the LSBF's London campus continuously record and constantly update study material for students to stay abreast of business events, while a team of advisors is available online. Students must still have a BSc/BA or five years of professional experience in order to earn an accredited LSBF Global MBA, and they must also pay if they want accreditation. Nevertheless, hundreds of hours of free study are available to all users, including 80 hours of high-definition video content. Developed by former Google employees, the LSBF Global MBA app delivers an MBA awarded by the University of Wales. “Historically there are real barriers for people to take the time to do an MBA,” explains LSBF founder Aaron Etingen. “Our new product uses the Facebook platform. We expect to get over 500,000 users in the first year, but that is a conservative estimate.” If an MBA program can be delivered via a Facebook app, just think how many other educational offerings could be as well. One to be inspired by! (Related: Platform lets anyone create and monetize an online school — Free Ivy League courses for high schoolers.) Website: www.facebook.com/LSBFGlobalMBA Spotted by: Ben Hirsch |
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As April 15 approaches, it's a safe bet that small businesses and individuals across the US are on the hunt for someone to handle their taxes. Aiming to make the process easier and more transparent than ever before, Teaspiller is a platform that helps users find, hire and work online with the accountant of their choice. Users of New York-based Teaspiller begin by searching the site's free database of more than 20,000 tax and accounting professionals across the United States. A geographic filter helps them find one close by, if that's what they want, and accountant profiles display experience, certifications (verified by Teaspiller), practice areas, rates and even client ratings. Once users find a professional they'd like to hire, they can also choose to work with that person online, uploading documents directly. In that case, the accountant will send a quote, and the client can choose whether or not to accept it before work begins. When work is completed, payment can be made directly through the Teaspiller site. Users can also take advantage of Teaspiller's “Ask an Accountant” service; pricing is USD 15 for a response overnight, USD 10 for a response in two days, or free otherwise. Teaspiller currently doesn't charge accountants to be listed, but it plans eventually to offer a “pro” account option with added features, according to a VentureBeat report. It also aims to charge a commission on transactions conducted through the site. How could you bring a much-needed dose of transparency and accessibility to the professional service of your choice? (Related: Custom presentation designs in 48 hours for $99 — Transparency comes to real estate agents — A simpler way to make a doctor's appointment — Property tax advocates.) Website: www.teaspiller.com Spotted by: Stephen Tsui |
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Close to half of India's school-aged children live in rural villages, where poverty often constrains what can be accomplished in local schools. The new Mambo Wisdom Box effort, however, aims to help such areas benefit from nearby libraries, giving teachers a way to get books into the hands of kids. As part of the Mambo effort, towns are provided with a library equipped with books, digital reading material and a playroom. Sustained by memberships and social funding, that library will double as a free resource for local teachers from surrounding villages, who will routinely collect books for their “wisdom box” and take them to their students. Teachers will also make observations about the reading habits of their pupils, helping Mambo and other agencies devise new programs; in addition, they'll get opportunities to further their own education. Mambo has already opened its first library in Siricilla; a video explains the project's goals in further detail. Who will sponsor the next Mambo library? Website: www.mambo.co.in Spotted by: Nivas |
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A vast, densely packed bookcase may still be a status symbol for some, but in small Tokyo apartments it’s simply not practical. Whilst the arrival of the iPad looked set to solve the problem, Yusuke Ohki soon discovered that an iPad without e-books wasn’t much of a solution. Taking matters into his own hands, he scanned all 2,000 books in his library onto his iPad. Now, six months later, he is helping others do the same through Bookscan. Japan has been slow to publish e-books, confronted with irksome copyright issues and pricing systems. BookScan now aims to fill the gap left by major publishers. Customers simply send Bookscan a book, and in return for JPY 100 users receive a PDF e-book version ready to be read on an iPad, iPhone or Kindle. Before sending a book to Bookscan, users of the service are required to tick a box saying they have received the publishers permission to reproduce the text. There is no end to the range of content that can be digitized for added convenience, accessibility and interaction. Bookscan has harnessed this in tandem with a real local need for e-book content to produce a valuable service. How can you do likewise in your area? (Related: Free photocopies for students, A place to preserve and share mementos online) Website: www.bookscan.co.jp Spotted by: Michell Zappa |
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Curation and subscription services seem to be a match made in heaven, as we've already seen in examples purveying everything from art to beauty samples to women's panties. Now, whereas music services typically bombard users with millions of songs to choose from, WeeklyIndie has opted for a curated subscription model, delivering 10 hand-picked indie songs to subscribers each week. Toronto-based WeeklyIndie invites independent artists to submit songs to its site, and it screens through thousands of such songs every week. After selecting the ones it likes, it signs distribution deals with the artists involved. Then WeeklyIndie sends out links to its worldwide base of subscribers to enable them to download the 10 chosen songs. Customer subscriptions cost USD 7 per month. With benefits for consumers — who get help wading through the vast ocean of songs out there — and artists, who get well-deserved exposure and payment for their work, WeeklyIndie may just have hit upon a new model for music discovery. One to watch! (Related: Books by gift subscription, hand-picked for the reader.) Website: www.weeklyindie.com Spotted by: Murray Orange |
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Fast forward to last week
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