Idea Napkin No. 1

I am currently a junior undergraduate at the University of Florida. My experience includes interning at Cornerstone Community Bank where I learned how to interact with clients as well as conduct industry research. Currently, I am a Campus Representative for Study Edge where I am learning how to effectively market a product to millennials, specifically college students, and how to effectively position a product and company competitively against a competitor. If I were to start this business, it would have to come second to my education because that is the most important thing in my life right now.

The product I am offering to customers is called Amico, the Italian word for friend. It would work as a “Tinder for friends,” in which users can see other user profiles in their area to meet new people. Users can swipe up if they’d like to talk to the profile, or down if they would not like to. If both users swipe up, they will be “matched” and can message each other to see if they’d like to meet. This product will make money through advertising through targeted ads based on shared user interests. For instance, it both matched users have an interest in shopping, an ad for a local boutique could show. This would provide a talking point for the users as well as advertising for businesses. The app would be free to download for users.

The main demographic for this app would be 18-35 year olds. The app would also mainly be geared towards women, though it would be available to both genders. College students and young professionals in large cities are the main target audience. All the customers have a desire to connect with new people in their area and form new friendships.

Although customers would not be paying to use the app, companies would pay to advertise their business. Users would find this app valuable because it allows them to meet new people outside of their social circle that they know have similar interests and are in their area. Businesses will appreciate the targeted approach of the advertising and therefore will pay to advertise on the app.

Something that sets this app apart is that there is no other app that allows users to meet others with similar interests in their own area without any prior connections (such as mutual friends on Facebook).

I believe these elements fit well together. This app represents a new way of meeting and making friends, which is perfect for the demographic I am targeting. I think this app will be difficult to get off of the ground initially, because it will have to be spread mainly through word of mouth. The weakest aspect of my business would be that I would not be able to devote very much time to the app until I have graduated from graduate school. Additionally, I have little knowledge of creating and maintaining apps.