|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||
|
British high-end chocolate maker and retailer Hotel Chocolat, which currently operates over 40 stores in the UK, the Middle East and the US, wants to expand even further. But rather than turning to banks or big investors for money, they're inviting customer to buy bonds. Bonds that will pay chocolate returns. Two values of Chocolate Bond will be issued: both with the return paid in monthly Tasting Boxes. Holders of a GBP 2,000 Chocolate Bond will receive six free tasting boxes a year worth GBP 107.70 per year, and those holding a GBP 4,000 bond will receive thirteen boxes, worth GBP 233.35 per year. Which comes down to a 5.38% return. After an initial term of three years, and on every anniversary thereafter, bond holders can redeem their bond for a full return of their investment. If they decide to continue to hold the bond, the monthly boxes will keep on coming. The company doesn't have to worry about the logistics of interest payment in kind; it already operates a tasting club with home delivery to over 100,000 members, and the bond holders will neatly slot into that distribution system. Hotel Chocolat explains that the money will be used to expand their factory in Britain, to build out their plantation in Saint Lucia, and to open new stores in various parts of the world. (Related: Crowdfunding for creative endeavours.) Website: www.hotelchocolat.co.uk |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
There's nothing like a global recession to spur the launch of countless low-price innovations, and photography seems to be no exception. First we saw the arrival of We Shoot Bottles and sister site We Shoot Cans; then, just recently, we came across USD 79 profile photo shoots from Minnesota photographer Noah Wolf. The latest spotting? Studio-quality product shots from New York photographer Mariano Pastor for USD 112. Pastor is best known for his work for Town & Country, W, Lancome, Givenchy and more, but his new ViaU! service aims to bring the same high quality to smaller businesses. Clients begin by visiting the ViaU! site and choosing a background and layout for their still-life product shot. They then send their product to ViaU! — the service handles only those less than 18 inches in size — and within 24 hours Pastor will photograph it, post the results for review and then return the product free of charge. Customers can then download their high-resolution photo for a flat fee of USD 112, which includes unlimited usage rights. Pastor explains: “If Isaac Mizrahi can create a successful line for Target, I thought there must be a way I can similarly extend my brand to include an affordable price point option. So, using a Netflix-esque business model, I invented ViaU! for photographing most small consumer products — toys, wine glasses, laundry detergent, chainsaws, diamond jewelry, soccer balls, lipstick — you name it.” Photographers around the globe: how could you expand *your* brand similarly...? Website: www.viauphotography.com |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
The quest for a better coffee cup continues apace. Even as participants in the Betacup contest wrack their brains for a paradigm-busting alternative, Australian Planetware has quietly proposed its own solution: a fully compostable cup and lid. PLAnet cups are not just made using forest-friendly paper, they're also lined with biofilm instead of petroleum-based plastic. That biofilm is made from renewable plant material; in part as a result, the cups comply with the harmonised European standard EN 13432 and are 100 percent compostable in commercial facilities. PLAnet cup lids, meanwhile, are also made from biodegradable plant-derived material and are fully compostable as well. All printing on PLAnet cups is done with water-based inks to reduce the number of chemicals used. Planetware is also in the process of seeking FSC accreditation from its suppliers. PLAnet cups are white to allow for brand stamps by small businesses; for an additional setup fee, orders of 25,000 or more can have their own logo automatically printed. Coffee shops, restaurants and other purveyors of hot beverages: one to try out on your own ethically minded consumers...? (Related: From pressed leaves, disposable dishes.) Website: www.planetcup.com.au Spotted by: Shannon Barry |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
With all the variations that already exist in the world of guided tours — we've even seen them offered for teddy bears, after all — it almost seems difficult to believe that another niche could possibly be found. Sure enough, though, in a testament to the virtually limitless nuances that can distinguish consumer segments, we recently happened upon a new one: travelling tours for those who like to sleep in. Indeed, California-based Executive Tours now offers a series of what it calls Crack of Noon Tours, designed — as it puts it — “for those who don't consider themselves 'morning people'.” Rather, in its guided excursions to Italy and France, the company takes pains to ensure that it never schedules any activities before noon. Executive Tours explains: “We firmly believe that travel is enjoyed much more when one is rested and relaxed — not herded and rushed. With Crack of Noon Tours, you will never hear the phrase, 'bags out by six AM'.” In designing its tours, Crack of Noon goes beyond just making reservations to help clients create an itinerary, arrange local meals and coordinate sightseeing. It also limits attendance to just 24 people. An 11-day trip to France planned for this fall, for instance, is priced at USD 3,290 per person, not including airfare; a 12-day trip to Italy costs USD 3,375. Just as virtually any product or service can be upgraded — one of our favourite refrains — so too can most be nichified. The early birds have had their day; what other services could be rethought and revised for the many night owls of the world...? (Related: Mapping the 24/7 economy — Weeknight clubbing for the 9-to-5 crowd.) Website: www.exectours.com/crackofnoontours.aspx Spotted by: Judy McRae |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of indoor smoking bans, cigarette butt litter is on the rise, with an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts becoming litter every year worldwide. Aiming to counter the impact littered cigarettes have on the environment, Greenbutts have developed an all-natural, biodegradable cigarette filter that, when placed under a thin layer of soil, will sprout a plant. Using patent-pending technology, Greenbutts are made from natural de-gummed hemp and organic cotton, bound with wheat flour and water. The filters can be combined with a variety of seeds, transforming them into plantable cigarette butts that will sprout grasses, flowers, fruits, herbs or trees. Traditional cigarette filters made from cellulose acetate can take up to 15 years to break down, according to Greenbutts. The San Diego-based firm hopes to put an end to this and is currently seeking investors and partners to do so on a global scale. One to partner with to provide an eco-friendlier choice for the one billion tobacco smokers worldwide? It won't make them healthier, but at least the rest of us will benefit. (Related: Boxes made of cardboard laden with seeds — Greeting card folds out into a living garden — Gum recycling bins.) Website: www.green-butts.com Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
We've seen numerous efforts to let mobile phone users earn cash for performing small tasks, but it wasn't until recently that we had seen an iPhone app dedicated solely to that purpose. Now joining the ranks of CloudCrowd, Fiverr, Samasource and others, Field Agent is a free iPhone app that gives users of the mobile device a directed way to increase their pay. iPhone users begin by downloading the Field Agent application from the iTunes App Store. They can then search for jobs in their geographical area, complete them and get paid. Most listed jobs are in everyday locations where agents live; examples include collecting retail pricing and display information, event images, photos of items for sale and consumer surveys that can be completed anywhere an iPhone can be used. The Field Agent software uses the iPhone's built-in tools to provide clients with information including agent history, GPS location, time and date stamps, and photo confirmations. Payments can range from USD 3 to USD 8, depending on the job’s degree of difficulty. Clients, in turn, can rate agents for their reliability and accuracy. Field Agent requires iPhone OS 3.1 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Field Agent is a joint venture between Arkansas-based Mill Creek Software and NorthStar Partnering Group. It's also another shining example of the recession-friendly crowdsourced labour trend. One more to emulate or try out for yourself! Website: www.fieldagent.net Spotted by: Andrew Toburen |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
We've written about companies who engage in upcycling to create scarves, bags, teddy bears, and more. Similarly, our latest spotting breathes new life into cast-off clothing, but adds a charitable twist. Launched by the Ted Noffs Foundation, Sydney-based One Noffs offers local aspiring fashion designers the opportunity to rework donated garments into one-of-a-kind designs, which are then sold to fund programs for disadvantaged kids. Participants receive a big bag of pre-loved clothing which they have three weeks to remanufacture, either at home or on One Noffs' in-store sewing machine. A section of the foundation's second-hand stores will be dedicated to these one-off designs. Each designer receives 20 percent of the sale price and their bio is added to the item’s swing tag. There's nothing like one-of-a-kind designs to make consumers feel unique, but add stitch of upcycling, sew in a social cause element and the products become all the more desirable. (Related: T-shirts with a story, and a cause — Salvation Army's 50/50 project.) Website: www.noffs.org.au Spotted by: Gerard McLennan |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Regular Springwise readers may recall Brightstorm, the company we covered back in 2008 that offers an online video network designed to help teens prepare for college. Aiming to update drivers ed with a like-minded dose of technology for today's digitally savvy youth, New York-based Fresh Green Light combines simulators and online tutoring with on-the-road instruction. Billing itself as a driving school for the 21st century, Rye, NY-based Fresh Green Light serves multiple communities in Westchester County with its updated driving lessons incorporating driving simulators, behind-the-wheel driving lessons and online instruction. Its full USD 1,495 package aimed at beginning teen drivers, for instance, includes four 90-minute sessions on a state-of-the-art driving simulator, which lets students experience routine and extreme driving situations without risk to themselves or others. New drivers learn how to drive in rain, snow, fog and darkness on both suburban streets and highways; they also experience the consequences of texting while driving, going too fast or running a red light. Seven 90-minute lessons behind a real wheel are also included, as are an online skill-building program, a 5-hour DMV pre-licensing class, the DMV road test and an online insurance-reduction program. Also available from Fresh Green Light are smaller-scale packages for more advanced teen drivers as well as focused skill drills and a la carte options for drivers of all ages. If anything, today's teens rely even more heavily on online oxygen than the rest of us do, so it makes good sense to adapt drivers education accordingly. One to partner with or emulate in other parts of the world? (Related: Greener drivers ed — Using video games to make seniors safer drivers.) Website: www.freshgreenlight.com |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Indiscriminate urination is a widespread problem in urban areas, and often it's caused by a shortage of public toilets in the parts of town frequented by late-night revelers. Designed to provide a just-in-time solution, so to speak, the UriLift is a public urinal that can be stored underground during the day and set to pop up in the evening hours, when it's most likely to be needed. Each cylindrical, stainless-steel UriLift includes three separate, doorless urinals that can be used simultaneously. While underground, all that remains visible of the device is its circular cover, which is designed to withstand traffic class 45 and comes in 200 colours. To make the UriLift pop up for the evening, the press of a button on the device's remote control is all that’s required; organisations such as the local sanitation department, the police or even a local hotel or bar could be given the job of carrying out this simple procedure. The urinals and drain in the UriLift are connected to the mains sewer, so that interim cleaning is unnecessary; there's also a connection to the water mains, but the device can be supplied with a rainwater-based water tank instead, or for use without water. Lighting and heating are both available on the vandalism-proof device, and Dutch Urilift BV takes care of any occasional maintenance or relocation. Also available are the UriVisible, a non-retractable version of the UriLift, and the UriLady, which comes complete with a suspended toilet seat. UriLift currently has distributors in Holland, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France and Italy, but it seeks new partners for other regions. Time to help beautify late-night hotspots in *your* neck of the urban jungle...? Website: www.urilift.com Spotted by: Thane Ryland |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Catering to consumers who don't want the hassle of buying ingredients and following recipes, Cocktailbox is a London-based venture that offers ready-mixed cocktails freshly made by a professional bartender,and home delivered in fridge-friendly boxes. Launched in October, CocktailBox takes online orders for four popular cocktails—margarita, mojito, cosmo and strawberry daiquiri—and dispatches the drinks in 3 litre bag-in-box packages, each containing twenty 150 ml servings. Pricing is GBP 35 per box, including taxes and 4-5 day delivery (expedited delivery is available for an extra charge). For an additional GBP 10 customers can upgrade any box to Super Premium and have their cocktails mixed with higher quality spirits such as Grey Goose, Havana Club and Sauza. Cocktailbox also offers “suits-you” cocktails which allows customers to have their favourite cocktail tailor-made. With consumers desiring both premium quality products and services that offer added convenience, we wouldn't be surprised to see similar concepts pop up around the world. Bars seeking additional income—one to add to your offerings? Website: www.cocktailbox.co.uk Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Back in 2008 we covered Plus 3 Network, the California-based site that lets fitness enthusiasts raise funds for charity with each workout. Picking up on a similar idea, Can Too is an Australian fitness club that provides professional training sessions and support in exchange for charitable fundraising. Interested consumers begin by paying an AUD 100 joining fee to Cure Cancer Australia, the charity partner that benefits from the Can Too program. They then choose whether they want to focus their efforts on running or swimming, along with what type of event they'd like to train for. Options for runners are 10k, 21k and 42k events—involving training programs of 10, 14 and 20 weeks, respectively—while swimmers can choose from among 1 km, 2 km and 2.7 km ocean swims, with a 12-week training session. All skill levels are welcome to participate in the programs, which provide twice-weekly training sessions, daily guides, speakers and social events. In return for participation, members are responsible for fundraising for Cure Cancer Australia. Runners commit to raising AUD 800, AUD 1,250 or AUD 2,000, depending on which marathon they run, while swimmers must raise AUD 1,250 regardless of which ocean swim they participate in. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Macquarie Group Foundation, all raised funds go directly to Cure Cancer Australia; since 2005, nearly AUD 4 million has been raised. For potential donors, traditional contributions to charity can often feel abstract and removed from the cause at hand. By tying those donations to personal fitness, there's bound to be a sense of increased involvement and gratification—not to mention a proportionately larger contribution at the other end. A model to emulate the world over! Website: www.cantoo.org.au Spotted by: Emma Crameri |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
More than half of humanity now lives in cities, according to the United Nations Population Fund. This rapid and ongoing change presents a raft of new challenges, many of which create opportunities for resourceful entrepreneurs. Here are five concepts that target consumers' increasing interest in growing their own food in the city: 1. REEL GARDENING — Simplifying the process of starting a domestic garden, South Africa's Reel Gardening provides a strip of biodegradable paper carrying correctly spaced, pre-fertilised seeds. The strips are colour coded (e.g. red for tomatoes, purple for beetroot) and carry instructions for how deep they should be planted in your soil. Just add water! 2. THE WIKI GARDEN — Urban gardeners who haven't even got a bed of soil may be interested in the Wiki Garden from Hawaii. It's a metre-long "growing medium" (i.e. sack) containing compost, worm castings, bat guano and more, plus a built-in irrigation system with a hose attachment. The bags can be connected, allowing for an easily scalable system. 3. CLICK AND GROW — Another alternative is to do without soil at all. Estonia's Click and Grow is a hi-tech growing system deploying aeroponics: the plant's lower stem and roots are contained in an air or mist environment, regulated by sensors and electronics to ensure the plant is fed and watered correctly. The pots even feature a USB port to upload new growing instructions. 4. WINDOWFARMS — Rather than selling a particular product, the Window Farms project in New York promotes the production of hydroponic food gardens in homes and offices, using recycled or locally-sourced materials. The founders aim to build a community to share ideas and engender a DIY approach to solving environmental problems. 5. OOOOBY — Based in New Zealand, Ooooby, short for Out Of Our Own Back Yard, is a social networking community dedicated to connecting local food producers and consumers for trade, networking, and sharing ideas. Ooooby also organises stalls at farmers' markets and other locations through which people can buy, sell and barter local produce and small-scale farming supplies. Spotters: Catherine Corry, Liz Stone, Kristoff Everaerts, Louisa Redshaw |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
There are few things more satisfying than seeing a good idea spread, and that's just what we had occasion to witness recently. Just as TapIt lets New Yorkers refill their water bottles for free at participating cafés, so GiveMeTap does much the same for those in the UK. Beginning in Manchester, GiveMeTap has signed up numerous restaurants and cafés willing to supply free access to clean tap water; said providers can be located via PC or smartphone using GiveMeTap's mapping service. Where the organisation differs from TapIt, however, is that in order to partake, consumers need to be carrying one of GiveMeTap's branded aluminium bottles, which are priced at GBP 7. The reason? Taking a global view of the need for water, GiveMeTap uses 70 percent of the profits from those sales to fund independent water projects in regions where they're most needed. GiveMeTap was founded by a Ghanaian entrepreneur and Manchester University student as a way to help address the global water crisis; in March, it was awarded GBP 1,000 in a special Shell LiveWIRE elevator pitch competition that took place in London. Consumers get free water; café owners get free publicity and footfall; and water-focused help goes to those in need. Hard to imagine a nicer win-win-win! Website: www.givemetap.co.uk Spotted by: John Crowder |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
It's no longer uncommon to see vending machines used to sell fragrances, bathing suits and shoes—or even farm produce and health foods. Not until recently, however, had we seen one installed at a butcher's shop—and a 100-year-old shop, at that. With three stores in Northern Spain, Izarzugaza has been operating for four generations in more or less the traditional way. Not long ago the store began selling online, however, and delivering to customers as far-flung as Segovia and Madrid. Even more interesting, though, is that it has installed a vending machine outside its Mundaka shop that sells a variety of meats, sausages, sandwiches and other goods around the clock. Products sold within the machine vary with the season, so that summer offerings might include pasta salads while the emphasis is more on meatballs and sausages in the wintertime. Izarzugaza is also notable for the fact that it has installed in-shop technology that gives customers the option of ordering via touch-screen. The primary benefit? The technology recognizes multiple languages—a useful capability for vendors located in popular tourist destinations, the way Izarzugaza is—including Castilian, Euskara and English, with French and German coming soon, according to El Mundo. None of which, of course, is to say that technology is a panacea for any small, traditional business. Well-applied, however—particularly so as to introduce new convenience for consumers—it can set a company apart. Butcher shops and delicatessens around the world: how about you...? Website: www.izarzugaza.com Spotted by: Leticia Pérez Prieto |
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
The iPad applications continue to come fast and furious. We've now seen a hotel chain and a trend forecaster incorporate the device into their offerings, and now it looks like UK-based Bluebox Avionics could be first to include the iPad in an in-flight entertainment system. Bluebox's namesake system already offers wireless in-flight entertainment that's accessible via handheld devices, seatback technology and overhead cabin broadcasting. Now the London company has announced that it will soon include the iPad among those delivery vehicles through its Bluebox Ai offering, which will be fully integrated with the other parts of the Bluebox system. Specifically, Bluebox has ported its PC-based operating and security software to the Apple platform, enabling a full range of iTunes App Store games and eBooks, a full selection of consumer magazines via Zinio, and a selection of some 200,000 commercial apps already available for the device. Airlines can add their own custom apps as well. Bluebox Ai will launch on an international carrier in July, the company says, with availability to other airlines shortly thereafter. In the meantime, it's now on display at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. With more than a million iPads now in the wild, it stands to reason that consumers will increasingly expect to see the device put to work by tech-savvy brands as well. If consumer-facing technology is at the core of your brand's offering, that should probably include you... Website: www.blueboxavionics.com Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann |
|||
|
|||
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
