Way back when I started blogging, I used to write a lot about startups I loved. Living in SF, I’m lucky to run across new and fun startups all the time. I’m a technology, social media, start up freak. I always am excited to hop on to try new stuff all the time. I think it comes from my need to be efficient and to connect with others and in the end isn’t that what every start up wants?
Here are some startups where I’m either the number 1 fan of or I’ve been toying around with the idea of using the product.
1. Cucumbertown – This website is a social network for foodies and chefs and a place where people (including food bloggers) can share their recipes. You can either post a picture and people can ask you to post the recipe or post the whole recipe plus pictures like me. The community interacts by “craving” aka liking a recipe, commenting and following their favorite users. It was started by a group of Indians, so the community does consists mostly of Indians. But don’t let that fool you into thinking its just Indian food on the site, it has posts from baked goods to pastas. The recipes are very diverse. I’m actually quite excited to be meeting one of the founders next week to hear about what’s coming up for them. If you’re a foodie, it’s worth checking out!
2. Roadtrippers – This is a website and mobile app that helps you discovery fun and exciting places along a planned route. Currently, it’s only available in the USA. I used it when my husband and I went on a road trip to Mendocino and we ended up finding a Buddhist monastery with a vegetarian Chinese restaurant we had lunch at! Who freakin’ knew?! You can find attractions, accommodations, activities, places to eat and much more along your route. I am obsessed with this app when I travel. I always find new and kitschy cool places because of it! Even within SF I found cool hiking spots and historical sites. If you love discovering what’s around you and are flexible with your time then the app is great to have.
3. Groovebook – I initially heard about Groovebook on Shark Tank and thought this is genius! Print 100 photos from your phone every month for $2.99! You can’t beat that price. I usually end up deleting all my photos and never end up printing them. This was just a nice way to keep and store my photos for super cheap. I think parents would LOVE it. All those hundreds of photos you take of your kid drooling and smiling can be saved. Plus, you can send the book to someone else (like your parents) if you like. Sometimes I don’t take 100 photos a month, so they will repeat photos to reach 100 pages which kind of sucks. I wish they would let you skip months until you accumulate another 100 new photos for a book, rather than repeating them. Other than that, I think it’s a pretty great idea.
Let me know if you’ve used any of these and what your thoughts are? Any more that I should know about?
