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
