News Summary
A senior at the University of South Florida has developed Ridely, a ride-sharing app tailored for students in Tampa and St. Petersburg. This innovative platform addresses transportation challenges faced by college students by allowing them to share rides and negotiate rates with drivers. With built-in safety features and support from the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship, Ridely aims to enhance the student experience. Set to launch in February, it’s part of a broader push to foster innovation among students in the tech space.
Exciting Developments in Tampa: Student Innovator Launches Ridely, a New Ride-Sharing App
If you’re a college student who’s ever struggled to get from point A to point B around the bustling cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, then you might be in for a treat. A bright and ambitious senior at the University of South Florida (USF) has just launched a groundbreaking ride-sharing app designed specifically for students. Meet Unique Alston, a business analytics major who’s taking transportation to a whole new level!
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
For her first two years at USF, Alston frequently found herself at the mercy of costly Uber rides or jumping onto the sometimes inconvenient public transit systems to move between the two campuses. She realized that she wasn’t alone in her plight; many of her peers shared similar transportation struggles. Rather than accept the status quo, Alston set her entrepreneurial spirit into action and created Ridely, a ride-sharing service aimed squarely at students facing transportation challenges.
A Journey of Innovation
Alston’s entrepreneurial journey started back in high school, where she turned her passion for Pokémon and sneakers into a small business, reselling cards and popular footwear for profit. One of her standout projects, a weight sensor for beds, even secured her some prize money in a competition! However, when it came to developing Ridely, she found herself navigating uncharted waters with little experience in app development. Not one to back down, she rolled up her sleeves, conducted thorough research, and sought insight from more seasoned competitors.
Support from the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship
A significant turning point for Alston came when she engaged with the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. This nurturing environment provided her with invaluable mentorship, guiding her in refining Ridely’s business model. Yet, as a young woman of color venturing into the tech space, Alston faced skepticism from some who viewed her ambitious project as just another school assignment—until the moment she took tangible steps toward actual app development.
The Launch of Ridely
As Ridely gears up for its launch in February, Alston is already assembling her team, including marketing interns to create buzz about the app on campus. The concept is simple yet effective: students can input their desired pick-up and drop-off locations, and the app generates ride options based on shared routes submitted by fellow students. What’s even cooler? Users can view rates and negotiate directly with drivers through the app!
Safety Features and Responsiveness
To ensure a safe ride-sharing experience, Ridely is incorporating a host of safety features. This includes ID verification, a rating and review system, and an SOS button for emergencies. Additionally, the platform has mechanisms to suspend users who consistently receive low ratings or have frequent complaints, aiming to create a safer ride-sharing community.
A Collaborative Effort
Alston emphasizes that the development of Ridely isn’t just her solo mission—it’s a team effort. She credits her diverse group of collaborators for helping realize her vision and pushing the project closer to its launch date. As Ridely takes off, it aims to enhance the ways students navigate their academic lives, making transportation a little less stressful and a lot more student-friendly.
Upcoming Event to Inspire Innovation
But wait, that’s not all! The excitement doesn’t end with Ridely’s launch. The USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship is also set to host the Techstars Startup Weekend Tampa Bay from March 14-16, a three-day business hackathon that encourages budding entrepreneurs to brainstorm and develop their ideas. This event will take place at the USF St. Petersburg Kate Tiedemann School of Accounting and Finance, providing another amazing opportunity for students to thrive in a collaborative and innovative environment.
So, Tampa students, get ready to say goodbye to the hassle of transportation woes and hello to Ridely! This app is on track to change the way you move around the city, making it easier and more convenient for you and your friends.
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Additional Resources
- I Love the Burg: Unique Alston Launches Ridely
- Wikipedia: Ride-sharing
- I Love the Burg: Exciting Startups in Tampa Bay
- Google Search: Entrepreneurship in Tech
- I Love the Burg: Nault Center for Entrepreneurship at USF
