Needyou-Needme is a
mobile-based social net-
working service that allows subscribers to quickly
contact one another to trade favors and fulfill needs.

It is designed to improve
urban communities and
build communication and friendships between those
who may not otherwise know each other.

Needyou-Needme is a platform, rather than a fixed product.
It is centered on:
-A free Java (or equivalent) mobile application
-A "points" system, where users trade in a micro-economy as compensation for favors and advice
-The sale of "business-level" accounts, whose results are returned via SMS to every query, thus bringing contextual advertising out of the web.

How does it work?

Hover over the next images
above for a use scenario.

1. Karin subscribes to Needyou-Needme.

She downloads the Java application onto her phone.

2. She creates her account and profile, where she can specify her areas of interest (pets, cars, Do-It-Yourself, food, etc).

3. When subscribing, Karin receives some free points (like, maybe 5 or so). These points are the ones to be used when asking for help, and can be collected by helping others or by buying them from the service provider.

4. Two days later, Karin needs to ask for someone that can take care of her dog, because she has to leave overnight. In the mobile application she selects the field of “pet-lovers category” and writes a short text describing her need and offering 3 points to anyone that can help her.

5) The application sends an SMS with her text to all subscribers that are in the pet-lovers category and that live in her neighborhood or area of the city.

6) Jonas and Mark both live nearby and answer back to Karin, offering their help.

7) Karin can easily check their profiles, where she finds the feedback left by previous users.
She discovers that Jonas got 1 very good feedback (90% satisfaction) while Mark got 2 (but with only 60% satisfaction).

8) Karin opts for Jonas.
They get in touch through SMS or call, and decide to meet in the late afternoon.
Karin also sends the 3 points promised through the application to Jonas’ account.

9) Jonas keeps the dog
for the night.
The next day, Karin
comes back home. The
dog looks quite serene
when she picks it up at
Jonas’.

10) Karin is grateful to Jonas and decides to post a good feedback on his profile, like the previous person in need of help did.

Other possible requests...
-Ulrika is giving a party and has no clue where to find a particular ingredient.
(Advice request)

-Kalle needs a electric screwdriver for one day to mount his new bookshelf.
(Tool request)

-Lina’s bike broke and she wants to know if someone can help her repair it.
(Service request)
…and infinite others.

More detailed information, including distribution, providers' benefits, profitability, promotions, and market competition are included in our detailed 'Innovation Plan,' which will probably be posted here after the dust settles from this competition.
Collaborative project with Andrea de Angelis (see links).