rentaverse
Community driven gear sharing marketplace
Problem
The core problem my business addresses is the significant underutilization of privately owned kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards sitting idle in Vermont. Simultaneously, residents and the state's 15.8 million annual visitors seeking temporary water access often find existing rental options inconvenient or expensive. My peer-to-peer platform bridges this gap, unlocking the value of potentially thousands of idle watercraft by connecting owners with those who want to rent them. This is important because my service taps into Vermont's $2.1 billion outdoor recreation economy, making water sports more accessible and affordable. By facilitating these rentals, my business empowers owners to earn supplemental income and helps countless people enjoy Vermont's abundant waterways more easily.
Solution
My solution is a user-friendly peer-to-peer web app designed specifically for renting kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards hyper-locally in Vermont. For owners, it provides a simple, secure way to earn income from their idle equipment without the complexities of finding renters or handling payments themselves. For renters, my app offers convenient access to watercraft located closer to them than traditional shops, potentially at more flexible times and prices. Unlike existing rental businesses with limited locations and inventory, my platform leverages a distributed network of individual owners across the community. This makes finding the right boat accessible right in your neighborhood or vacation spot. Ultimately, my app creates a trusted marketplace that is easier and more efficient than current informal or commercial options.
Traction
I've successfully completed the development of my Minimum Viable Product (MVP), tailored specifically for peer-to-peer watercraft rentals. With the core business plan now finalized, I have a clear strategic foundation for my initial launch and growth. Currently, I am fully bootstrapping the venture, utilizing my technical skills and personal resources to get the platform ready. I haven't pursued external funding from friends, family, or investors yet, focusing instead on building this operational base. All the essential technical and strategic pieces are now firmly in place, and I am truly gearing up to initiate the hyper-local pilot launch in the Burlington area.
Vision
My immediate vision post-pilot is to expand the watercraft rental platform statewide across Vermont, establishing it as the premier local resource for accessing lakes and rivers. I then plan to strategically introduce other outdoor gear categories, like bikes and camping equipment, leveraging the established user base. The long-term vision is to replicate this successful, multi-category model in other states with vibrant outdoor cultures, evolving into a robust, go-to peer-to-peer item rental company. This platform has the potential to unlock value from countless underutilized assets nationwide, fostering a sustainable sharing economy. For Vermont, this means creating numerous micro-income opportunities for residents, boosting local tourism, and making outdoor recreation more accessible to everyone. Ultimately, I envision a future where renting items is as easy and common as booking accommodation, starting right here in the Green Mountain State.
Funding
I am planning to raise an initial seed round of $50,000 to significantly accelerate growth beyond the bootstrapping phase. This funding will primarily be used for targeted hyper-local marketing campaigns aimed at rapidly acquiring both owners and renters in the Burlington pilot area to solve the chicken-and-egg problem. A critical portion will also cover essential legal fees, including drafting robust terms and waivers, and exploring initial insurance solutions specific to peer-to-peer rentals. This $50,000 investment is calculated to provide the necessary runway to validate the market aggressively and hit key early milestones like achieving consistent transaction volume and preparing for the first stages of statewide expansion.
Team
Currently, the team consists solely of solo founder and front-end web developer, Michael Chase. Leveraging this technical skill, Michael has personally built and customized the initial MVP platform. While bootstrapping has been effective for development, the strategy is to build a dedicated team for scaling; connect with Michael Chase on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-chase8/
Ask
I would value expert feedback on my initial hyper-local go-to-market strategy for the Lake Champlain pilot. Specifically, I'd like input on the most effective, lean approaches to acquire both owners and renters simultaneously. Any insights or connections regarding navigating the crucial legal and insurance challenges for a P2P rental platform would also be incredibly helpful.