Locals
We are looking for support to jumpstart our dream; the funds will go directly to developing our app to bring business to local businesses.
Project Description
Malika & Chantel are both 4th year students at Santa Clara University hoping to bring their dream to life. When we studied abroad, it was incredibly hard to get to know our travel destinations. Even through hours of research through personal blogs and popular websites like TripAdvisor and Expedia, we felt as if we left the place without truly experiencing the culture. Only when we chatted with the locals did we feel like we connected with the destination; but it took a lot to even find anyone to talk to. Instead of having to find a friend of a friend of a family member to get to know a place, we thought it would be easier to have one place to find the info… so why not put it all in an app!
Locals will be an app where users can find a home away from home. As a community based application, users can upload their local hidden favorites to help grow their small town businesses. In essence, it will expand experiences beyond tourism into finding the heart of any destination, even if it’s their own town. It’s simple; Locals will serve as a ‘social media’ for exploration, without the ‘influencer’ pressure. Users will discover secret spots and an insight into that place’s culture wherever they go! Locals’ goal is to inspire curiosity and authentic discovery for every community around the world.
As female entrepreneurs, specifically as colored individuals, we find that we are often the odd ones out in the group. However, we have found such a strong and supportive group within the community of female entrepreneurs, and wanted to lean on these individuals so we can help support one another through IFW. We are looking for support to jumpstart our dream; the resources will go directly to developing the app to bring business to local businesses around the world.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
- Who Are We?
- Malika & Chantel are both 4th year students at Santa Clara University hoping to bring their dream to life. We are working on a app called "Locals" where we hope users can find a home away from home. As a community based application, users can upload their local hidden favorites to help grow their small town businesses. In essence, it will expand experiences beyond tourism into finding the heart of any destination, even if it’s their own town.
- What will the Funds be used for?
- The resources and funds raised through this campaign will go directly to developing the app to bring business to local businesses around the world. More specifically, the funds will help pay for the high-end developers/other talent needed, Google API, upkeep of the website, incorporating, database, potential consulting fees, other resources regarding the software.
- When can a viable product be expected?
- Beginning of July 2021
- What impact will this startup have on the community?
- Foster a supportive community by featuring local businesses and highlighting the hidden gems of an area. Locals will encourage people to discover beyond what they know and encourage visitors to seek out the cultural significance of an area.
- What's Locals' plan to gain users?
- We plan to go through universities to connect directly with the student community. By starting in the Bay Area, we will target college students from universities like Santa Clara University, Stanford, SJSU, and community colleges nearby. Since the majority of our Locals team is from the Bay Area, we will be able to leverage our personal connections to gain a large user base.
- How do Locals differ from other yelp/airbnb experiences?
- Locals allows for discovery and exploration. People coming to our app are looking to find new things they did not think of beforehand, while Yelp and Airbnb provide a service for those looking for specific details. It serves an audience that is looking for a specific place or service; while Locals caters to a different need by broadening their perspectives and showing them new experiences.
- Can funders expect any equity gain?
- No, although we are grateful for our friends, family and supporters for their donation to our launch phase of Locals, the funds will be honored as a gift, your donation will not equate to a loan or equity in the startup or company now or in the future. Your support will be a great benefit to our exciting and innovative company.
Contribute to get a handcrafted itinerary of one of our favorite cities. Pick from our top 5 cities and we will plan out a weekend of things to do, see, eat, and experience! Plus, we will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Thank you so much for supporting us! We can't thank you enough for helping us bring our dream to life to help support small businesses. We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a discount at a nearby local business in the Bay! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
If you yourself own a small business, contribute to get featured on our platform! Our goal is to amplify the voices of small businesses during this tough time, and we couldn't think of a better reward for us both than to give you a shoutout! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a bomb playlist you can listen to when traveling. However you travel, by car, airplane, etc, this will keep you relaxed or even hyped for your upcoming trip! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a personalized itinerary from ANY city you choose – a one up from the 250 contribution, you get to have us plan a weekend for you for wherever you are headed. Plus, we will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
**Disclaimer: if we have not personally been to that city, we will be reaching out to people who have to get recommendations.
Rewards
Contribute to get a handcrafted itinerary of one of our favorite cities. Pick from our top 5 cities and we will plan out a weekend of things to do, see, eat, and experience! Plus, we will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Thank you so much for supporting us! We can't thank you enough for helping us bring our dream to life to help support small businesses. We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a discount at a nearby local business in the Bay! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
If you yourself own a small business, contribute to get featured on our platform! Our goal is to amplify the voices of small businesses during this tough time, and we couldn't think of a better reward for us both than to give you a shoutout! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a bomb playlist you can listen to when traveling. However you travel, by car, airplane, etc, this will keep you relaxed or even hyped for your upcoming trip! We will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
Contribute to get a personalized itinerary from ANY city you choose – a one up from the 250 contribution, you get to have us plan a weekend for you for wherever you are headed. Plus, we will send you a handwritten thank you :), so please look out for a google form to fill out for the address!
**Disclaimer: if we have not personally been to that city, we will be reaching out to people who have to get recommendations.