Problem
How might we help students feel more connected to their campus surroundings by easily discovering spaces and activities to study, work, and engage with?
New entrants to the market showcase the growing popularity and need of connectivity apps, as well as eager interest of venture capitalists in the future of social media. For example, the app Fizz is an anonymous social media app for college campuses, which raised $12 million in series A funding in June 2022. Another application, Patio, is a social networking app that provides a safe and welcoming environment for students with their school provided email.
However, our initial research show students crave a sense of connection in order to avoid missed opportunities, increased stress, and decreased productivity - neither of which the apps available offer when it comes to the sharing of information on where to study, work, and live.
How students explore their campus:
Current Solution Iteration
78%
rely on walking around campus to find places to study or work
Social media makes up a staggering 56%, which means digital apps are a main resource for exploring campus. However, people are starting to become overwhelmed by the amount of extremely disorganized resources and information.. Interviews with students show that information on where to study, work, and live is either unavailable online or not trustworthy information. It’s best found through friends, upperclassmen, or organically by walking around.
"I want to find a study place that is open late. I want to find food that is cheap and filling. I want it to be easiest for me to find 'hidden gem' places."
- Anonymous Survey Participant
A digital hub specifically made for students by students.
20%
feel confident about their surroundings when exploring campus
67%
utilize social media to find events or opportunities near campus
Enter Atlas: an online directory of walkable locations both on and off campus. Students can find places to study, live, eat, and play - all recommended and reviewed by their peers! Places are geo-locked to a walkable distance to/on campus, including libraries, study rooms, grab-and-go eats, and more.
Students must sign up with their edu email, both for security reason and to contain curated information as to what is relevant in order to target the college student population. Students have the option to “tag” location creations based on amenities (outlet access, room to meet with big group) for them and others to search by.
Students may send places to friends and coordinate to make plans, as well as ask an AI chatbot as to what places it would recommend them based on their current needs.
Secure: For students, by students - a trustworthy community of only your classmates, friends, and more. See reviews and recommendations curated by other students and share your favorites with your community.
Convenient: Features only walk-able destinations both on campus or off campus, so you never miss out on what your campus really has to offer
Replicable: Atlas is a platform, not an app created for any specific university in mind. Instead, it is a hosting application for community pages that can be replicated by universities across the world.
Product Benefits
Currently….
I am focused on performing usability studies on our user population group while seeking developers to join our team. We had the Lead Principal Architect of a large company connect with us in the Dempsey Investment round to help with our MVP’s through development and 5 angel investors approach us with interest for funding.
I am making continuous iterations on the prototype based on user and stakeholder feedback.
Research