Local Startup: 600Block, Discover Baltimore !

Recently while attedning SocialDevCamp in Baltimore, I met up with the founders and creators of a new local review site called 600Block, Patti Chan and Tom Poe.

Patti took some time to tell me about the project and what it was all about.  It sounded really cool and I was anxiouos to learn more.  600Block is a local review and discovery site for the Baltimore area only in its curretn state.  There is a social aspect to it, as you can add friends to see what they have discovered and reviewed in their area.  In addition there are some really cool features, like Daily Specials.  This is a listing of specials places are offering that you can take advantage of.  It may be $1 drafts or a special on steaks.   Check out the video here with an overview of the site and all the features.

As you can see there is some really cool ideas packed in here.  I think they are onto something really cool and look forward to them succeeding in Baltimore and adding new cities, maybe DC ! soon.

Our area has some people doing some really great things, like the Loladex guys and their Facebook app for local “trusted” reviews, the Localist team (also from Baltimore) which we reviewed recently.  I think Patti and Tom are onto a good thing here and I ask you all head over and support them in their beta and forward.

Local Startup: IntroIn Connects You To Apartments

Recently while attending the SocialDevCamp I ran into a local company from Vienna, VA that had a new concept they were about to launch into private beta.  I took a few minutes and spoke to Premraj Jeyaprakash, founder and chief executive officer of Introin.com.

Introin is a pretty innovative new service that aims to

to connect renters and people who have inside knowledge about rentals. After all, who knows more about any particular community than those who live there now?

A comprehensive, nationwide listing of apartments allows remote searching. Our secure message service puts new and existing renters in contact. And because management companies offer bonuses for referrals, existing renters can earn money by referring new renters. Money they can share as an incentive. Introin handles both new rentals and sublets, connecting those in the know to those who need on-site information.

I was pretty impressed with the concept, to connect those who have info on apartments to those who need that information.  With Referrals, they also have allowed those who get a referral bonus form the apartment management service, as well as list any sub leases.

As a prospective renter, this service allows me the ability to connect with people that currently live in that development to find any info on it.  Also it allows the current resident to refer those who connect with them and earn a little extra cash for the referral, maybe even split a bit with the new renter !

Even though they are just now in private beta, they have a very extensive listing of communities around the country that prospective renters can search on to find the right place to live.  Users can search by State, City, and Community, or just by the zip code.

Check out the video here for a browse at the interface, and let us know what you think about this new service.

And finally, a few questions answered

In a paragraph or less, tell us the concept?

Introin is a platform between a renter (prospective resident) and a referral (current resident) where they can communicate and share benefit from the reference program of the apartment community.

What is your target market?

Current and prospective residents of any apartment community.

What niche are you filling and how do you stand out .

Existing websites only list the apartment communities. These sites do not provide features for users to connect and communicate. IntroIn.com helps existing renter to offer information and opportunities to those seeking housing.

Who are your competitors in this space?

Rent.com, Apartmentreviews.com

Mr. Premraj Jeyaprakash is the founder and chief executive officer of Introin.com. Prior to founding Introin Mr.Jeyaprakash held significant executive positions in operations, information systems, and finance with Technowave Inc(CEO), Trinity Technologies Inc (CTO). In addition, he held various senior technology management roles at Intel, Chrome Systems Corporation and Epicor. Mr.Jeyaprakash holds a Masters in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix.

Mr. Nitin Pereira is the chief technology officer of Introin.com. He has extensive experience providing end-to-end web solutions for clients and has developed Content Management Systems while managing the entire software development life cycle. At Michigan State University he was the Director of Web and Graphic Marketing. He also managed the National Association of College and University Food Safety’s website that received over 400,000 hits per month. Mr. Pereira holds a degree in Information Technology Management and minored in Business from Michigan State University.

What was the “spark”, the inspirations for your startup .

Before we buy any product, we always seek feedback of others who are using it. But, as a renter, I never had a chance to get an insight from the current residents while searching an apartment. So we built this application where prospective resident and current resident can communicate and share benefit from the reference program of the apartment community.

Local Startup: SpotCrime, Mashing Up Local Crime

While attending the recent SocialDevCamp in Baltimore MD, I had the opportunity to see a lot of the cool startups that are popping up across the area.  I sat in one of the sessions with Colin Drane, founder of SpotCrime.  I did not have a chance to chat with Colin, but I noted hi company to follow up with.

The on Thursday heading downtown to see Larry Page talk at Google Unwired, I saw SpotCrime spotlighted on Techcrunch .. damn they beat me to the punch yet again… :)  SpotCrime is a pretty cool concept and use of a google maps mashup.  In essence, SpotCrime taps into local police databases and is able to display that data on a google map for you to view.  As it is right now, they have a limited number of cities they are drawing from, but hopefully they will be rounding that out.  Here is a look at the local Baltimore map with the incidents annotated.

Techcrunch noted that

While it’s hard to believe that the police don’t already know about the rougher areas of town, the visual overlays could conceivably held them identify trends. Other potential applications of the data include real estate evaluation, and (for more paranoid users) “safe” driving routes mapped by GPS.

I think another great applicaion for this is prior to moving to a new area.  When I have looked at buying my last couple of houses, I have taken the time at night to drive through the neighborhood and see if anything untoward may be going on.  This would be a great tool for prospective buyers to look at the area they are looking to move into in order to get a gauge on the crime in that area.