Thanks for the great comments/questions so far. Our first launch is focused on the Twin Cities, but we're looking for a second region/city to open up next, so let us know where you'd like us to launch next.
@sterlingtoth We’re not trying to be or compete with Kickstarter. Crowdfunding on our site is really a means to an end for entrepreneurs to actually open up shop after finding out where their business would be supported in a community.
@daveb_ if people are putting money towards someone else opening a business. What are they getting in return other than a potentially cool business opening in their area?
@sterlingtoth Great question. Voting for what you’d like move into your hood is free. In return that will encourage entrepreneurs to open up in their area. For the crowdfunding portion, with our focus on brick and mortar, the best perks are things neighbors and customers would like -- free beer for life, early access to restaurants/stores, or other promotions that make sense for the biz.
@acondurache Hoodstarter’s biggest competitor is simply the analog world of commercial brokers. They are still living in a world of phone calls and handshakes. Brokers are posting properties today but don’t get feedback on what communities want. Alternatively, city council or community meetings often ask for feedback from residents. Those meetings are (a) only attended by a few distinct groups (b) have terrible coffee and (c) not usually actionable by businesses.
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