Imagine arriving home with a new Ikea table. With excitement, you tear open the box, laying out each component nicely on the floor. You then head to your toolbox only to discover that you’re missing a specific wrench needed to assemble the piece of furniture. What do you do?
While some may head to the closest convenience store, others utilize mobile and web apps to find and borrow urgent necessities. Whether you’re in dire need of a boat, work space, or piece of equipment, the companies listed below have made it possible for users to call upon help when items or spaces are most needed.
The Founder Institute has helped launch global startups that focus on a variety of needs in numerous industries, including peer-to-peer lending.
Peerby, Founder Daan Weddenpohl
Peerby, a Graduate of the Amsterdam Founder Institute, is a mobile and web application that enables consumers to borrow the things they need from others in their neighborhood within 30 minutes. Unlike most peer-to-peer model driven companies, Peerby has been enormously successful and has spread from Holland to New York City, with millions of users on the platform. From wrenches to tents, it’s easy to borrow novelty items.
Founder and CEO Daan Weddenpohl decided to build the platform when he lost all of his belongings in a house fire. Having to ask for assistance from neighbors, he quickly realized that people are open to lending a helping hand during a time of crisis.
I discovered that asking for help really strengthened the relationship between me and the people that I asked.I also learned that you don’t need stuff - you just need good people around you.”
Book-A-Boat, Founder Aleksandar Bibovski
Book-A-Boat, a Graduate of the Zagreb Founder Institute, is a peer-to-peer web and mobile app that allows you to inexpensively rent small boats in any desired location. If you’re a traveler looking for the fastest way to connect to islands and beautiful destinations, this service can match you with local boat owners and professional captains.
Described as the Airbnb for boats, Book-A-Boat allows users to rent anything from kayaks to Catamarans to boat taxis. Find a water vehicle in the city of your next vacation today.
Letsmake, Founder Tobias Dickmeis
Letsmake, a Graduate of the Berlin Founder Institute, is an online platform that helps makers and hobbyists find spaces for their activities, like gardens, workshops, kitchens, artist studios or rehearsal rooms. Not only can you make extra cash from listing your own space, you can also meet like-minded professionals to add to your network.
The cool part about this collaborative consumption startup is that users are also able to make use of the tools within the space. If you’re working on a crafts project, you can find the perfect place and necessary equipment to turn your creative ideas into reality. In a recent Gov Tech article, Letsmake was dubbed as one of seven startups unveiling plans to answer urban challenges. Tobias claimed that, “American makers are channeling $30 billion into the economy [last] year.” He adds,
There are 135 million Americans who are makers, people who employ their creative skills to create clothing, jewelry, baking goods and other works of crafts and art.”
If you could benefit from expert training and feedback to launch a company, apply to the Founder Institute today. We are currently accepting applications in many cities worldwide.
