Support Black Women Entrepreneurs in Tech!
Hey Everyone! I'm Faune Salone, Founder of The BuddyUp (BU) app.
"The BU is a social request app that turns short videos into real-life connections, using smart suggestions to match people for help, activities, collaboration, and creative services. Tap the "BU" button to match instantly through video."
I’m raising funds to help launch and grow The BuddyUp. As a Black woman-owned business, I’m passionate about creating a space that empowers communities and fosters real-world connections. Your support will help bring this vision to life, driving economic opportunities and strengthening local bonds. Every contribution counts—thank you for supporting Black women in business!
I'd love your support with our upcoming app launch in September! You can share this link to your friends, family and local communities. Check out my story below to learn more.
Get notified when the app is ready and Follow Us on our Socials - Click Here!
How I got *here*:
My sister and I are Nashville originals, but honey, we’ve been playing hopscotch across the map. I left Atlanta for Dallas, and she bounced from NYC to Atlanta. We might as well get frequent flyer miles for all these moves! While we had no problems checking out what each city had to offer, we hopped on a call one day and quickly realized that finding fun things to do was the easy part—finding people to share those experiences with? Not so much. It’s like, "Cool, I found the best coffee shop in town... now who wants to come with me?" Cue the sound of crickets. Even when we stumbled upon great spots or activities, getting like-minded souls to join in was trickier than we thought. And when we needed help with creative projects—like finding a photographer or designer—suddenly everyone was a ghost.
We figured out pretty quickly that the easiest way to make new friends is by bonding over shared experiences. But the problem was, no one had built an app for that. Meanwhile, the Surgeon General is out here declaring loneliness an epidemic, and we’re just trying to get people off their phones and into the real world. I figured there had to be a better way to scroll less and get out more.
So, with my own funds *and* the generous support of family and friends, I've built The BuddyUp—a platform that makes it easy and fun to connect with people in your community through creative activities and services. It's where TikTok meets Meetup.
With short videos, you can discover local activities, meet people who like the same stuff, or even find help from freelancers. Whether you’re hunting for a hiking buddy, someone to grab a coffee with, or need a photographer to capture your latest epic brunch, The BuddyUp has your back.
But that’s not all! The BuddyUp also gives freelancers and small business owners a place to show off their skills and connect with clients. Plus, creators can earn money by sharing their favorite spots or offering services. It’s a win-win: businesses get more exposure, people find friends with shared interests, and everyone gets to turn those online connections into real-life adventures.
I’ve built a space for real connections, creative collaborations, and making things happen—all in one easy-to-use platform. If you’re as excited about this vision as I am, I’d love your support to help bring The BuddyUp to life!
So I know you're wondering, well how are we different than other platforms?
The BuddyUp is better than Meetup and Instagram because it combines the best of both platforms while addressing their limitations, making it a more efficient and engaging tool for building real-life connections. Here’s why:
1. More Personal and Engaging Connections
Meetup can feel formal or even awkward when you show up to a big group of strangers, and Instagram is mostly for scrolling through highlight reels, not actually meeting people.
The BuddyUp lets you connect with people through short videos, giving you a better sense of their personality and vibe before meeting up. It’s more personal, and you can buddy up 1:1 or in smaller groups for activities that truly interest you. No more awkward icebreakers at giant Meetup events or anonymous lurking on Instagram.
2. Buddy Badge - Verified
We also have a Buddy Badge feature, which allows users to get verified for background checks to ensure safety when meeting others.
3. Seamless Scheduling and Planning
Meetup requires coordination, often leading to a long wait between RSVPs and actual meetups, while Instagram doesn’t even focus on real-world connections.
The BuddyUp makes scheduling meetups super easy—find someone who wants to join you for a hike, grab coffee, or go to a concert, and the app handles the rest. It’s real-time, instant engagement without all the back-and-forth planning hassle.
4. Focus on Local and Creative Services
Instagram is great for showing off pictures but not built for local connections or helping you find creative services like a photographer or designer. And while Meetup is all about local activities, it doesn’t help you find or hire local freelancers. Nextdoor offers a sense of local community connections, but there is no way to facilitate those connections.
The BuddyUp bridges that gap by not only helping you find people to hang out with but also allowing you to request creative services from local freelancers. Need someone to take photos at your event or design your logo? You can find and hire talent directly on the app.
5. Earn Money Through Your Content
Instagram may let big influencers earn money, but most users get likes and not much else. Meetup doesn’t even have a direct monetization option.
The BuddyUp lets creators and freelancers earn money for sharing their skills, services, and recommendations. Whether you’re a small business owner promoting your services or just someone who knows the best local spots, you can make money through the app.
6. Instant Requests for Help or Companionship
Meetup is event-driven, meaning you need to wait for an event to happen, and Instagram isn’t set up to get immediate responses from your community.
On The BuddyUp, you can post a request for help, services, or even just someone to join you for a fun activity, and people in your area can respond immediately. It’s faster, more efficient, and tailored to your needs.
In short, The BuddyUp merges the real-life, local connection focus of Meetup with the visual, engaging nature of Instagram—while adding features that neither of them offer, like earning money for your content and instant connection requests. It’s more personal, more practical, and ultimately more useful for building relationships and getting things done!
USE OF FUNDS: $25k for 3 months of Promotion
1. App Development & Maintenance
- Ongoing Maintenance: (Bug fixes, updates, and user support post-launch)
2. Marketing & Promotion
- Social Media Ads: (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. to raise awareness)
- Influencer Partnerships: (Collaborating with influencers to promote The BuddyUp)
- Content Creation: (Producing videos, graphics, and promotional materials)
3. Public Relations
- Press Outreach: (Reaching out to media outlets, blogs, and publications)
- Event Launches & Demos: (Hosting events, app demo showcases, or virtual webinars)
4. Freelancer & Small Business Onboarding
- Onboarding Incentives: (Offering discounts or bonuses to get freelancers and businesses on the platform)
- Educational Resources: (Creating tutorials, guides, or workshops to help users get started)
5. User Acquisition & Engagement
- Referral Programs: (Incentives for users to invite friends or connect with new users)
- Promotions/Giveaways: (Offering prizes or special deals to attract users)
6. Operations & Staffing
- Customer Support: (Hiring or outsourcing support to manage user inquiries)
7. Platform Hosting & Infrastructure
- Server Costs:(Cloud services to host the app and manage user data)
Interested or know anyone who could benefit from this app?
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Interested in investing in us for a return?
Thank you for your support!
Faune