Collab41 Redefined

Hey Guys,

It's been about a month since my partner Caleb and I first came up with the idea for Collab41.  We had such a broad idea of the website, trying to accomplish too many things at once.  After meeting with many mentors and advisors from professors at Northeastern University to crowd-funding website experts, we have completely redefined our idea.

Collab41 is now a geo-localized, community-based crowdfunding platform for small businesses and startups. It is a Kickstarter for just your town. Our goal is still to connect entrepreneurs with the general public for both funding and collaboration, and we have found that there is no better way to do this than by bringing communities together. We have interviewed 10+ people and done a lot of research, and have found the following:

The General Public:

- is interested in interacting with new small businesses

- hates when new businesses have to close their doors too early and wishes they can help

- has ideas for small businesses in their communities

- knows businesses and individuals who could benefit from our platform

- hates when closed businesses leave vacant property for long periods of time

- often feels uncomfortable giving money to people they don't know on Kickstarter, but love the idea of Kickstarter and would love to fund local projects for rewards such as free meals, & coupons

- are generally intrigued by the concept of entrepreneurship

Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs:

- are constantly looking for new ways to interact with their communities

- have trouble getting off the ground

- have capital needs

- have human capital needs

- need partners

- value word-of-mouth advertising over all other forms of marketing

There is value for all parties involved. Projects on the site will range from established small businesses looking to make improvements, buy equipment, embark on new projects, or hire freelancers, to fresh entrepreneurs looking for the capital and partners they need to fill vacant property and open up the next community pizza place.

We want to get a site up and start in one of our towns in New Jersey by talking with the local government and community. We have drawn website plans and are exploring our options for funding. 

We also have plans to reach out to Groupon and somehow connect what they do to what we are doing in order to get more people to embrace their community.

Collab41's website will be extremely simple to use, just enter your zip code, and your town's Collab41 page will pop up.  Your town's site will display familiar pictures of scenery, stores, and restaurants in your town, making your adventure with Collab41 comfortable and exciting.  Same as my last post, find a business or start-up you are interested in and see how you can mutually benefit each other.  Or if you are ready, start your own business.  No better way to get off the ground than in your own community, with your friends and family.  

Email us at Collab41@aol.com for any questions or concerns.  Thanks for reading,

-Nick Shanman

Collab41 intro

Hey everyone,

My name is Nick Shanman.  My business partner and close friend Caleb Tenenbaum and I attend Northeastern University.  We believe that we can redefine the way tech-based businesses are created.  We want to create an online start-up community, where we combine crowd-funding with team-forming.  A user comes on to our site with nothing but an idea and a vision, and in 41 days or less, leaves with a full business team and the money needed to carry out that idea.  Here's how it works:

(The site is not done, so don't try to do this yet)

1. Sign up on Collab41.com directly through Linkedin.
2. Choose whether or not you have an idea, want to invest, want a job, or any combination of the three.
3. If you have an idea, choose whether it's for an app or a website.  Post your pitch and exactly what positions you need on your team. THE 41 DAY TIMER STARTS NOW.
-Ex. I have an idea for an app that tells you when your waffles are ready.  I need an app developer, and an advertising/marketing specialist.  OPTIONAL: I could use an intern, but not required.  The app developer will get 6% (you decide) equity in the app, the advertising/marketing specialist's commission will be negotiated.
4. Our site will generate the best possible matches for your business team using Linkedin, their location, experience, age, etc.  Think of it as a sort of match.com for your business team, except you are the boss.
5. You go through your matches and request who you want to work with.  They can accept or deny, or someone else on the site who likes your idea can request to work with you.
6. Once the team is complete, and it must be complete, you decide on an amount of money you will need, similar to Kickstarter.
7. Investors can either donate and receive an incentive (same model as Kickstarter,) invest for a certain amount of equity you offer, or can try to negotiate a loan with you.
-Ex.  We need $50,000.  Whoever invests $10,000 will get 2% equity.  If you invest $100 you will get access to every app our company makes in the future for free, and your name will appear on the app under "donators," etc.  Loans negotiated upon request.
8. Investors will look into your team, idea, pitch, resumés, etc.  By the 41st day since your idea was posted,  you will either have all of the money or none of it.  (similar to Kickstarter).

The connections are still made whether you guys receive funding or not.  Although not every project will be funded, people will be connected and hopefully will work together or help each other out in some way.

POPULAR QUESTIONS
1. What makes you guys different than Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a crowd-funding site for projects with a DEFINITIVE ENDING.  Products such as a shirt or a new iPod, that needs money to produce and distribute.  We are for apps and websites only, projects with a indefinite lifespan that can turn into companies or last generations.  Also, Kickstarter ONLY has crowd-funding.  But what if you don't know what to do with the money after you get it? How do you know what direction to go in?  We are forming business connections before the money becomes a factor.  Our goal is to form companies that will benefit each other and society in a positive way.

2. What gave you this idea?
We had an idea for an app, but neither of us are developers or know where to find a developer.  Once we found a developer, we wouldn't have any money to pay him.  We realized that thousands of people have idea but can't do anything with them.  If your idea truly has potential we want to make it easy to form a business team and get the money you need to execute your idea.

3. Who is going to use your site?
LITERALLY ANYONE.  Investors, accredited or non-accredited.  Skilled workers whether that means developers, programmers, coders, graphic designers, PRs, Marketers, Advertisers, Interns, etc.   A diverse team is needed to create an app or a website.  Most importantly, anyone with an idea that they passionately believe in.  Whether it pops into your head that day.  Post it.  You never know who might see something in your idea that you didn't see or can assist you in some possible way.

4. What's with the name?
Collaboration. For one goal.  4 1 goal.  Collab41.
  
5. How can I help?
Follow us on twitter. @Collab41.  Like our Facebook page.  Collab41.  Shoot us an email with any feedback, questions, or want to join our team.  Collab41@aol.com.

We believe Collab41 can help millions of people who have an idea or a skill or money and don't know what to do with it.

THANK YOU
-Nick Shanman