MeeMeep

MeeMeep

Voted by influential blogger, Kate Kendall as a startup to watch, MeeMeep is now on the move. Literally. This online business –connects people who have stuff to move to people who are on the move.

MeeMeep essentially transforms everyday commuters into couriers. With a motto of -People power can move anything!', it harnesses the energy of all the trucks, cars, foot traffic and bikes already in motion, and puts it to good use in the social networking space.

The business inhabits the collaborative consumption space – a phenomenon that leverages the vast reach of social media for swapping, sharing, bartering and trading. It turns the capitalist economic model on its head, and is ideal for individuals who don't have a courier account and corporations with an environmental conscience.

People can register online at MeeMeep.com to join the movement. Once registered, the network connects people who need stuff moved to others who are already out and about. An introduction is given online, a fee negotiated between the two parties, and the goods are delivered. Costly couriers are avoided and carbon emissions reduced.

For example, a commuter who travels to Fitzroy five times a week could get connected to a box maker who regularly needs boxes delivered to the same suburb. The box maker gets in touch with the commuter, together they work out a reasonable delivery fee, and the commuter becomes a courier-on-the-side. It's a win-win for both and, with its social and environmental credentials, comes with a great dose of feel-good factor, too.

Meep it to me! Moving everything and anything Since its launch, MeeMeep has moved over 200 jobs. From the delivery of Christmas presents, eBay pick-up only items, beds, fridges – even the odd office lunch – MeeMeep has been shaking up the traditional courier model.

Founding members George Mackey and Will, Rob and Jodie Emmett created the business after Rob had a light bulb moment while stuck in traffic one day.

'I was watching empty cars and vans going back and forth, and I thought, -Wouldn't it be great if we could harness all that commuter movement for good use? What's stopping us from connecting the physical power of people with the digital power of the internet?'", he said.

Given the rapid growth of the business, it is clear that the online community agrees with Rob's sentiments. -There is a huge market out there for pick-up only items from sites like eBay, Trading Post and Gumtree. Not to mention a lot of interstate movement of items like a bed, a picture frame, a hard drive or a wardrobe.

MeeMeep is a very attractive proposition to people who have one-off items to move and don't have enough stuff to fill a removals truck.' Being involved in a new startup has been exciting and challenging at the same time said MeeMeep's, Director of Marketing and Strategy Will Emmett, 'Some of the bigger challenges have been operational - creating a great user experience on the website, as well as building trust, safety and community into everything we do. We are learning all the time and the feedback from our community has really driven how we have built the site."

Will and the MeeMeep team see clearly the enormous benefits this platform provides by connecting those on the move, with people who have stuff to move. 'We are inspired by the fact that MeeMeep is part of something that has the power to change the world in a very significant way."

www.meemeep.com