http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Indeed the site is not intended to make significant amounts of money, but rather enough money to become self sustainable - that's a big selling point to college's who aren't too keen on paying for a service indefinitely. Some of the colleges in the Harrisburg area do offer these services, but none of them very effectively or as effectively as an initiative such as this. I'm not sure that they really have a desperate need for this service at the moment, but because most surrounding areas are already developing similar sites (Baltimore, Lancaster, Phila., Pittsburgh, and others) I believe that the region as a whole will begin to feel a squeeze when students interested in the area start to give higher consideration to different regions that already have the initiative in place. Impact on the local economy is really the goal of the whole initiative, to address workforce needs that will only become increasingly problematic as baby boomers head to retirement. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:54:29 -0600 advice http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice2543 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice2543 The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:52:14 -0600 comment http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7501 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7501 The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:33:19 -0600 comment http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7500 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7500 The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Thu, 08 May 2008 18:18:33 -0600 comment http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7009 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment7009 How much is too much to ask for? I know to ask for $5,000 a year from a 4 year college is really minimal, considering the number of new students the initiative will create. I just don't want to go into this asking for too little, so how do I determine the best pay to play asking price? Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:52:29 -0600 challenge http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#challenge1507 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#challenge1507 The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:49:05 -0600 comment http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment6707 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment6707 My question to you is this a simple one. Where is the revenue stream? An opportunity needs not only a market need, which you have addressed, but the ability to generate cash flow to support the costs and earn a profit (or if it is a social venture, build a reserve fund). I am not saying that there is no possible revenue stream. I just don't see that you have thought about that part of the idea. The registration fees and money from student government suggested by the previous comment is possible, but I doubt that this would amount to much. Who would pay to support this site? Advertisers? Maybe, but they need volume. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:42:35 -0600 advice http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1592 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1592 I really like that you have thought about the broader implications on the region when considering the need for this concept! Well done. I would suggest looking for funding through website sponsorship. Some of the local entertainment providers may be willing to get in behind it and this would give you a more sustainable revenue stream long term than trying to rely on college funding. Your student government may be willing to kick in some $'s or maybe student activities as you are providing entertainment for the broader student body. You could also consider making it a subscription service where students pay a nominal fee to log in and find out all the cool things that are happening. That way you could include private parties and the like that you don't want broadcast to the general public. It sounds like a really good way to connect students! Good luck with your venture! Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:30:39 -0600 advice http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1287 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1287 The proposed website would effectively connect college students in a particular region, in this first case the greater Harrisburg metro area, alerting them to the best entertainment, events, discounts, internships, job openings, things to do, and places to see in the region. Part of the initiative also includes a student comprised team in charge of facilitating monthly events that will allow students from all participating schools to interact, network, and get connected to the Harrisburg area. The initiative is specifically targeting the brain drain in the region, facilitating student engagement and personal connection to the area so that they'll be more inclined to stay after graduation. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:21:44 -0600 comment http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment6280 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#comment6280 I do not think I would attempt to have the universities/colleges try to "work together", but that they work independently through you. You would become the facilitor/broker ot connecting students with businesses. Funding may be obtained through partnerships with local businesses, the Better Business Bureau and/or any other business related groups, i.e. Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, etc. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:01:59 -0600 advice http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1160 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1160 We've had good luck pursuing relationships with college admissions offices and on-campus student government organizations. Unless your site is dependent on the participation and/or approval of college administrators, you should target the students directly. Ultimately, they're the ones that'll be using your site and keeping it alive. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:02:03 -0600 advice http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1153 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#advice1153 Obviously the funding is the biggest challenge, but how do I convince the colleges that they need to participate? They do stand to benefit from increased enrollment through the website, but getting any support from local universities who usually don't want to work together is always a challenge. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:29:28 -0600 challenge http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#challenge1281 http://ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1927-College-Connection-Website-On#challenge1281