SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 24, 2011) - Today, Zaarly, a location-based, real-time mobile commerce platform, is launching Zaarly U to help college students get what they want, when they want it. To begin buying and selling anything with people nearby, students just need to search their local Zaarly listings (viewable on the app or website).
How can Zaarly help college students? A few ideas:
- Pulling an all-nighter and need an energy boost? Zaarly someone to deliver you a redbull & pizza.
- Looking for a textbook? Zaarly a used copy from an upperclassman.
- Need to make some quick cash on the weekend? See what Zaarly requests you can fulfill.
"For the longest time, dining halls and bulletin boards were the only places on campus to post when you needed a textbook, a ride to the airport, tickets to the big game, or a tutor," said Bo Fishback, Zaarly's CEO and co-founder. "With Zaarly, students' mobile phones become that bulletin board -- an effective way to get what you want or make money right on campus. Sure makes me wish we had Zaarly when I was in college!"
Zaarly launched its web, iPhone and Android apps in May 2011 and has since seen rapid growth to more than $3 million in transactions less than three months later. Popular requests on the Zaarly platform include services such as graphic or web design, plumbing, landscaping and event planning; goods like mobile phones, laptops, sporting equipment, and cars; as well as experiences, including tickets, backstage passes to events, rides and even lunch with a celebrity.
Zaarly U is live on all college campuses. Additionally, Zaarly has identified student leaders at 20 schools to serve as its first class of "Campus CEOs." The Campus CEOs hail from Michigan State, Cornell, Kansas State, University of Washington, Stanford, USC and more than a dozen other universities. Zaarly is actively recruiting more Campus CEOs, and interested individuals should send an email and resume expressing your interest to ZaarlyU@zaarly.com.
How Zaarly Works
- Post what you're looking for, how much you're willing to pay for it and how soon you need it on Zaarly
- Zaarly immediately shares your request in the local community through the Zaarly platform, and also allows you to get help from your friends and contacts to find what you're looking for via social channels like Facebook and Twitter
- People or businesses nearby see what you want and connect to fulfill your request
- Zaarly allows buyers and sellers to anonymously message and talk on the phone to facilitate the logistics of a transaction, enabling an in-person or virtual meeting to complete the transaction
- You can use cash or Zaarly's integrated credit card payment system to pay for the transaction, all within a safe and secure platform
- Zaarly is available on the iPhone, Android, and all web-enabled mobile phones via your mobile Web browser, as well as through the Web and Facebook on your desktop computer. The integrated Zaarly platform allows buyers and sellers to connect while they are on-the-go or from the convenience of home or office
Find Zaarly Online:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Mobile Applications: Available in the Apple App Store or Android Market
About Zaarly
Zaarly is a location-based, real-time commerce platform that makes the buying and selling of goods, services and experiences easy, safe and secure. With Zaarly, people can post what they want, when they want it and what price they are willing to pay and someone in the Zaarly community can fulfill it. Zaarly is based in San Francisco, CA and is backed by investors including Ashton Kutcher, Felicis Ventures, Bill Lee, Naval Ravikant, Lightbank, SV Angel, Paul Buchheit and Thrive Capital.
Zaarly has been profiled by CNBC, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and others. Visit www.zaarly.com for more information.