DreamBank engages the world to make gift giving more meaningful & less wasteful.
Detailed Description:
DreamBank is a global online cash gift-giving platform for special occasions that enables individuals almost anywhere, to fund desires (experiences or things) instead of receiving traditional gifts they may not want or need. Simultaneously the platform, and its future retail and partnership programs, are innovatively designed to help fulfill the “Dream Gift” AND, to generate substantial funding for social and environmental cause partners.
Know drawbacks of design:
The DreamBank concept attracts very positive response from media an users but when arriving at www.dreambank.org the site language and experience does not clearly and accurately reflect the DreamBank offering. It's particularly confusing to those with limited English reading comprehension. We are very clear what technology, messaging, and product changes are to be implemented to clarify the value proposition and scale this idea to the masses, but have not had the technology & capital resources to implement the needed changes, which are known and straightforward. We hope to secure the necessary resources for early 2011. (and looking very forward to it!).
Website:
www.dreambank.org
Designed in:
2008
Status of realization:
In production
Keywords:
communication, economics, environment, ethics, globalization, leisure, lifestyle, network, philosophy, social, technology
Form
DreamBank is internet-based software accessible at www.dreambank.org. The name is chosen for its relevance and magic. The user experience is similar to that of a social networking site with profiles and messaging tools build into the site, and also interfaces with basic social networking tools (will be expanded). The technology itself is an innovative combination of our proprietary LAMP (Linux, Apache, Mysql, PHP) software platform, integrating PayPal Payment processing software for secure contributions and payouts. This creates a front end technology interface usable almost anywhere in the world and designed to be visually appealing and easily navigated by most internet users. The administration and analytics allows DreamBank's team to run & administer the system, managing and tracking both the Dreamer funds and those raised for the selected charity, as well as providing desirable aggregated data analytics for DreamBank’s corporate fulfillment partners and cause partners.
Impact
DreamBank engages people to share & pitch in towards one very special “desire” in a fun & feel good way, encouraging a shift to more meaningful consumption through; collaborative saving up for something special, not buying “stuff” for “stuff” sake, and the embedded charitable giving on contribution. DreamBank also embeds giving to a Cause as an acquisition cost for product and service providers, introducing a more responsible way of marketing. By 5th year of operations, DreamBank’s revamped model is capable of directing over $1.5 Billion (CAD) of consumer gift spending to efficient and wanted ones, fulfilling desired wants and experiences for over 10 million people globally, alleviating millions of tons of waste to landfill, resulting in corporate margins of $50 Million + simultaneously raising a minimum of $100 Million for our partners; Save the Children, Kiva, CARE, Medicines Sans Frontiers & African Wildlife Foundation, also improving the lives of those they help.
Context
DreamBank is working at the intersection of 3 key issues: 1.The Western world has been over-consuming, living a “quick fix” lifestyle that is proving to be mostly unfulfilling, and a source of numerous negative social and environmental impacts. 2.The gap between the haves and have nots is expanding at the same time as there is a tightening of traditional funding sources for important social and environmental causes that help the less fortunate populations of the world. 3.There is recognition (slowly) both by consumers and product & service providers, that all parties must take some responsibility in change. Realistically, the general population will not just stop consuming; especially with Western world type “wants” growing in areas like Asia. We believe successful solutions must be global and meet consumers and business where they are, moving them along the continuum of change with solutions that are based in reality but make change fun, inspiring and desirable.
Other relevant information
DreamBank was conceived of early into my MSC Responsibility & Business Practice. The 2 yr. process of conceiving of, funding, building company and team, and launching the beta site (a socially responsible web based software business) became the subject of my Dissertation. As coincidental perfect timing, our team launched the technology from our Canadian office while I was in the UK graduating from my MSC. What a launch team!
Is the design protected by patent or ip registration?
registration
How has the development of the design been financed hereunto?
External investments
Is there a plan for future investments?
Yes
Is there in-house competencies to secure market roll out of the design, with regards to investment, distribution, sales, etc.?
Yes
Designed by:
Dawn Bowles, Founder, www.dreambank.org, Social Entrepreneur, Proponent of Hybrid Business Models, design was inspired during MSc. Responsibility & Business Practice, University of Bath, UK, Canada, Vancouver, Canada, The DreamBank Online Gifting Community
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Manufactured/Produced/Commisioned by:
Credits. Julie Selby, Matt Pettifer, Chris Cummer, Mo Tarmohamed, Karen Redshaw, Lindsay MacDonald, Robb Davis, FCV Technologies, our Cause Partners, Angel Investors & many Advisors.
