CitySource Big Idea Competition 2020

Andrew Hutchens and Cal Weisman

Executive Summary: CitySource is a social network connecting community needs with development professionals. CitySource bridges the communication gap between the developers and users of urban areas enabling the building process to work more effectively for everyone involved. Users can submit their ideas and concerns about a local area, and others can interact, allowing developers to respond to popular ideas once they see the traction. CitySource will also provide a proof of concept for businesses who are seeking to see a local reaction to their brand before investing. We seek to create more sustainable development through open communication on our platform to avoid unwanted development and missed opportunities.

Mockup of App interface (in progress)

Motivation CitySource began initially as an idea about tapping into the resources of underutilized architecture students. We wanted them to have an easy way to take on quick design problems that could benefit the community. We kept this idea and planned out more features and applications, and believe it has the most potential in the planning and designing of full-scale urban developments.

So far, we have spoken with architects, community group leaders, and developers, and they are all excited by the prospect of this application. We discovered unique ideas from individuals but also saw common themes. Everyone we talked to could name at least one development in their city that they were not on board with and how they would have done something different. Speaking with these relevant parties shaped how we addressed the problem and what features we plan to emphasize. People want one platform where they can go to see developments in their local neighborhood, plans that have been submitted for review, and when they will be built. We created City Source to be the standard for encouraging better communication between developers, architects, and residents so that the best ideas are seen and taken into account.

Benefit to wide adoption of our platform: While City Source can be a tool for increasing architectural work, other positive outcomes include: - Showing public support for projects to encourage government approval - Fielding input from local people at multiple stages of development - Free advertising for new developments - Keeping the public informed about construction going on in urban communities - Supporting self-investment from communities - Identifying food deserts and encouraging healthier options to open up - An interface between public concerns and city/county government - Assuring investors there is a market in the area targeted

Cal Weisman, VP Bradley University ‘19 Venture for America Fellow 2020

Andrew Hutchens, Founder KU School of Architecture and Design M. Architecture class of 2020

Our team possesses the unique skill sets that make us perfect to take on this problem and create a solution that has the potential to be a successful company and make an impact for the better. Cal utilizes a digital marketing focus and has strong community outreach experience. Andrew manages insight into the Urban building process through his architecture degree and has experience at several architectural firms.

Industry Analysis: The general industry our startup is entering is the urban tech market. Cities are growing at a rapid rate, and we recognize a “missing market” bridging the communication gap between residents and developers and architects.

According to the United Nations report, in 2016 an estimated 54.5 percent of the world’s population lived in urban settlements. By 2030, urban areas are projected to house 60 percent of people globally and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants. These statistics show the significant levels of growth in this industry in the coming years, which validates the relevance and consumer interest in services like ours.

Our competitive advantage is that there is no direct competitor on the market right now. We are different because we want to be a social bridge between urban developers and residents who are affected by development. The social aspect helps cities grow sustainably and makes sure development is responsive to people in the town. Businesses can get feedback, and town governments can gauge public interest. All parties benefit from the open communication that our platform aims to provide. We empower people’s voices instead of taking their data.

Implementation Timeline: Refine the concept and UI while building backend - March 2020 Create a Beta version of the web app; Promote it being used in a new development - Spring 2020 Make changes in response to their experience, and test again - May 2020 Advertise and study the impact it has on a real-world project - Summer 2020 Continue learning and adding features towards the mission of better cities and more transparency.

Startup Capital Needed: For the development team, infrastructure and six months of runway we are seeking $500,000 to cover initial expenses to help expand our business. We have also decided to use any potential startup competition prizes as essential funding for the idea’s further development.