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By Gearup - Marketplace
GearUp is a Stellar-based P2P marketplace for African creators to rent, buy, sell gear, studio spaces, courses, and find gig opportunities.
GearUp is a Stellar-based P2P marketplace for African creators to rent, buy, sell gear, studio spaces, courses, and find gig opportunities.
Products and Services:
Gear Rentals: Creators can rent equipment such as cameras, lenses, audio gear, lighting, gimbals, drones, and grip tools from local providers.
Studio Space Rentals: Access to various studio spaces suitable for different creative projects.
Gear Sales: A platform for buying and selling new or used creative equipment.
Course Offerings: Creators can sell educational courses related to their expertise.
Gig Opportunities: Enables creators to find and apply for freelance gigs, connecting them with clients seeking their skills and expertise.
Integration of Stellar Blockchain:
GearUp integrates Stellar's blockchain technology to enhance its platform.
Payment Processing: Utilising Stellar's network for secure, transparent, and efficient transactions, reducing fees and processing times.
Asset Tracking: Implementing Stellar's asset tokenisation to monitor the movement of gear and studio spaces, ensuring accountability and reducing fraud.
Smart Contracts: Employing Stellar's smart contract capabilities to automate asset ownership, rental agreements, course sales, and streamlining operations.
Competitive Advantages:
Enhanced Security: The integration of Stellar Network ensures secure transactions, building trust among users.
Operational Efficiency: Automation of processes reduces administrative overhead, allowing GearUp to focus on user experience.
Scalability: Blockchain technology supports platform growth, accommodating more users and transactions through a decentralised escrow system without compromising performance.
By leveraging Stellar's blockchain, GearUp aims to provide a secure, efficient, and scalable marketplace for African creators, setting itself apart in the creative industry.
Yes
$74.5K
Given that we've already attracted over 500 creatives and organisations on our waitlist, our success criteria would be to have over 1000 users in the first 30 days of launch.
Customer/User Onboarding
Target Audience: Media creators and clients needing creative services.
Competitors: Identify gaps and opportunities.
Unique Value: Blockchain transparency, decentralised escrow, and gear insurance.
Product Development
Finalise Features: Support gear rentals, sales, and service bookings.
Optimise UX: Ensure easy listing and transaction processes.
Branding & Messaging
Brand Identity: Develop and maintain a strong logo and tagline.
Key Messages: Highlight security, transparency, and peer-to-peer benefits.
Marketing & Promotion
Digital Channels: Use social media, SEO, and influencer partnerships.
Email Campaigns: Personalized offers and updates.
Events: Host or sponsor events to showcase GearUp.
Sales Strategy
Partnerships: Collaborate with industry groups and agencies.
Referrals: Incentivize users to invite others.
Customer Support
Responsive Service: Provide excellent support.
Feedback: Collect and act on user input.
Launch & Growth
Soft Launch: Test with a limited audience.
Full Launch: Broader release with a marketing push.
Monitor & Optimize: Track metrics and refine strategies.
Expansion
Geographic: Expand to new regions.
Features: Add new services based on demand.
User Base & Transactions:
GearUp has built a community of over 350 registered users, including creators, gear owners, and creative professionals across various regions.
Since launching in 2021, GearUp has facilitated over 2500 offline transactions, including rentals, sales, and creative job hires.
Revenue
Geographical Presence:
Events Covered:
Partnerships & Strategic Alliances:
We partnered with the Stellar Network to integrate a decentralised escrow system, enhancing transaction transparency and efficiency.
We’ve established a presence in the creative community by leveraging partnerships with local and international brands, aiming to expand its network of creators and gear owners.
Platform Development:
GearUp is in the final stages of developing its peer-to-peer marketplace, with features such as gear insurance, creator hire, and blockchain-based transparency solutions.
GearUp is already live on the Stellar Network Testnet, see the test link below.
The platform is poised to go live on the Stellar Mainnet by October 16th, 2024, with over 500 creators pre-registered to use the service upon launch.
Testnet Link: https://gearup.market
Over 84k views and engagement on Instagram and other social media handles. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Q5jZlPlSPIWXT9YzDEYnHU1toMS7Y8O/edit?gid=335701432#gid=335701432
545 Waitlist users, 200+ MoM paying customers/users rely on gearUp for equipment and studio rentals. Click to view the data - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Q5jZlPlSPIWXT9YzDEYnHU1toMS7Y8O/edit?gid=335701432#gid=335701432
Evidence of jobs done: Sabinus Live in Concert Tour. GearUp facilitated the rental of 70% of the Gears used for this concert.
Link to social media channels showcasing user testimonials, events covered, and platform development updates - Cyclers Studio 360 Camera in use, Cyclers Studio Concert Event, Cyclers Studio Concert Event, Wedding Event covered, Gear rental testimonial; Gear rental testimonial; GearUp Github
Links to partnership announcements with Stellar Network and other strategic alliances - Partnerships with top Nigerian Creators - Tacha; MC Edo Pikin; OmahLay; Mayorkun; Stellar Activation Grant; Sony Partnership Announcement; Partnership with BOP Community
Link to media coverage or press releases about GearUp’s impact in the creative industry - Cycler’s World Photography Day; The Independent;
Brief Description:
In this MVP phase, we are developing;
Course listing for creatives to sell their digital products (Books, tutorials, Audio & Video and courses) on the platform
Studio rentals and lease features with rental agreements also held as Soroban smart contracts
Tokenisation features: Multi-ownership asset listing and fractional ownerships using soroban smart contracts.
We will improve our MVP's existing UI/UX for easier adoption (https://www.figma.com/proto/Y4ZrIpCg4Nu5Ixkm7QAGIL/Gearup?page-id=4573%3A23766&node-id=6690-109875&node-type=canvas&viewport=-714%2C959%2C0.11&t=QJLAully0n2TFBLI-1&scaling=min-zoom&content-scaling=fixed).
How to Measure Completion:
Successfully deployed the improved version of MVP to production with all core functionalities of the marketplace, refined UI/UX, and completed the multi-ownership asset listing feature and fractional ownership smart contracts.
Users will be able to buy and sell courses and rent/lease studio spaces.
Estimated Date of Completion:
Budget Breakdown:
Developer salaries: $21,000
Smart contract development and integration: $7,000
UI/UX design: $3,500
Total for MVP Tranche: $31,500 in XLM
Brief Description:
In this tranche, we will:
Develop and integrate the on/off ramping features with the marketplace. Users will be able to make payments using FIAT and XLM.
We will also integrate the Soroban smart contracts on testnet and open up the testnet subdomain for testnet users to interact with the contracts, fractional ownership, and multi-asset listing.
Audit smart contracts and test contracts to ensure security on Testnet
How to Measure Completion:
There will be a “Pay with XLM” button on the deposit/checkout pages of the marketplace
Smooth on & off ramping on testnet. Sellers will be able to withdraw in FIAT or XLM
Pass all security audit
Estimated Date of Completion:
Budget Breakdown:
Developer salaries: $21,000
Smart contract audit for all smart contracts: $10,000 (along with Stellar LaunchKit credits)
Server/Infrastructure scaling: $3,000
Total for Testnet Tranche: $34,000 in XLM
Brief Description:
In this tranche, we will:
Launch the GearUp marketplace on Stellar Mainnet.
All smart contracts will be upgradeable and deployed to Mainnet, and all testnet features will be available on the marketplace.
On/Off ramping will be integrated into Mainnet and Gearup production.
How to Measure Completion:
https://gearup.market will be live and interacting with Stellar main nets. All features, including multi-asset listing, fractional ownership of items, and ramping, will be live.
All smart contracts will be deployed and follow the upgradeable pattern.
Have at least 1000 active users onboarded
Estimated Date of Completion:
Budget Breakdown:
Developer salary: $5,000
Final user testing: $2,000
Mainnet transaction fee sponsoring: $2,500
Total for Mainnet Tranche: $9,500
The GearUp team is composed of 8 dedicated professionals with diverse expertise and over 30 years of combined experience. Together, the team combines expertise in leadership, product management, technology, operations, and marketing to drive GearUp's mission of empowering creators with access to essential gear and creative resources.
Mary Odogbo - CEO:
A visionary leader with extensive experience in driving business growth and building strategic partnerships. Mary is focused on scaling GearUp's presence in the creative marketplace.
Philip Akhilome - CTO:
Philip is a highly skilled technologist with over 10 years of experience in software development, systems architecture, and blockchain technology. He has successfully led the development of several high-impact tech solutions in fintech and e-commerce.
Key Achievements:
Led the development of a blockchain-based payment solution that processed over $5 million in transactions within its first year.
Architected and deployed a scalable e-commerce platform used by thousands of customers, featuring robust security and seamless user experience.
Industry Experience: Philip's extensive experience in integrating blockchain technology with traditional systems has been crucial in building GearUp's decentralized escrow and transaction system on the Stellar Network. He has previously worked with both startups and established tech firms, contributing to their technological growth and innovation.
Education: Holds a degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and has certifications in blockchain development and cloud computing.
Obasi Francis Ifegwu - CBO: He possesses over seven years of experience in leadership, business development, and sales across various industries. Previously founded and led multiple successful ventures, including Kwikpik, a peer-to-peer delivery marketplace for underserved regions of Africa and the Middle East.
Oyakhilome Godstime Einstein - Head of Product & Design:
An experienced product manager with a strong background in user experience and digital product development. Einstein is responsible for the overall product strategy and execution at GearUp.
Ighodaro Umaigba - Chief Operating Officer (COO):
An operations expert with a keen eye for process optimisation and operational efficiency. Ighodaro ensures the smooth functioning of GearUp’s day-to-day activities.
Adebisi Abidemi - Gear & Studio Rental Manager:
Manages the logistics and coordination of gear and studio rentals, ensuring that users have seamless access to the resources they need.
Judith Ehikalomeh - Photography & Videography Manager:
Leads the photography and videography division, managing a team of creatives and coordinating media coverage for events and projects.
Covenant Otafu - Marketing Head:
A strategic marketing professional responsible for driving brand awareness, user acquisition, and community engagement for GearUp.
Revival Nano Adolor - Frontend Developer:
A skilled front-end developer specialising in creating intuitive and responsive user interfaces. Revival plays a key role in enhancing user experience on the GearUp platform.
Obasi Francis
By Gearup - Marketplace
The Peer-to-Peer Marketplace for African Creatives
By Gearup - Marketplace
Gearup - Marketplace