Bountye – a new online marketplace.
Bountye is a mobile marketplace that allows users to join public or private communities based on interest and or location. Users can donate all or some of the proceeds to a charity, school, or cause, and receive a tax deductible receipt.
Bountye founder and managing director Asim Brown
“We see a trend back toward communities, both online and offline, while today’s consumers are tech-savvy, digitally-aware, socially-connected, and demand instant gratification, a seamless user experience, a faster route to purchase, and an app for almost everything. They also have a greater-than-ever appreciation for frugality, the environment, and their local communities and giving back. They’re craving deeper, more meaningful human interactions with each other.” says Asim Brown, the platform’s founder and managing director.
Asim has a seasoned career in startups and marketplaces, starting in Silicon Valley and working in tech for the last 25 years. During that time he relocated to Australia, working most recently for eBay before leaving to launch Bountye.
How it Works
“A community-based marketplace increases trust, improves search and engagement. We can see this now being validated by Facebooks groups, only we take it a step further and create a better frame work for commerce to take place. Bountye incorporates trust and safety mechanisms. Customer service is there when you need them and we provide buyer and seller protection,” Brown said.
Bountye allows users to build trust amongst their community through every interaction with features such as buyer and seller ratings. Payment is held until the item is received, comments and chat functions. Users also must have verified profiles, and complete sales with real names and photos.
Our goal is to create a more meaningful commerce experience. With online retails exceeding $20 billion, a strong secondhand economy is emerging. The average Australian home has over $5,000 worth of goods, we’re tapping into that supply by giving those households a reason to sell We give them the ability to donate all or a portion of the proceeds to their favorite charity, a nearby school, or a cause close to their heart.
Bountye has already partnered with 25 major charities, and are now rolling out the platform to 2,500 schools.
Trajectory
In its first year of operation, Bountye racked up 40,000 users, but Brown’s not content to limit the platform’s marketplace and has a goal of reaching 100,000 by the first quarter of 2017.
Bountye were also participants in the Australian government’s Entrepreneurs Programme and were awarded the highly competitive commercialisation grant.
Asked what’s next, Brown says “We are launching a service aimed at the corporate sector, companies can create a private community for employees on Bountye to buy, sell, and donate. It gives employees a better way to buy stuff at work while creating a sense of community and a connection to charitable giving.”
Bountye can be downloaded at https://bountye.com/
