Blabtree
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Blabtree is an online social venture that gives students the ability to post positive messages about each other anonymously and counter cyber bullying.
About You
About You
First Name
Nikolas
Last Name
Woods
Twitter URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Blabtree
Organization Website
Blabtree.com
Organization Country
United States, CA, Sacramento
Country where this project is creating social impact
United States
Is your organization a
Other
Your role in Education
Student.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Public (tuition-free)
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
The issue of bullying is something that has taken center stage in the media with all of the highly publicized teen suicides that have taken place. The topic instantly draws sympathy from the general population, and evokes people of all ages to want to make change and take action. Countless speeches are made, rallies are held, videos are created, and district initiatives are planned, all with the goal of fighting against this issue, and all with a very temporary effect on teenagers. The problem is there is no online venture out there with the sole mission of uniting young student bodies on one platform through the sharing of positivity. There is a clearly a void, and the tech start-up that addresses this issue the fastest, and the most effectively, has the potential for huge success.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Blabtree is an online social venture that gives high school and middle school students the opportunity to post positive affirmations and compliments about each other anonymously. Each school receives their own online "tree" (or page), where students are free to create and post new “leaves” for their fellow classmates and teachers. Leaves are to contain a few sentences on why that person is important and appreciated and through our movement One Leaf-A-Day, we challenge teens to post something positive about a fellow classmate or teacher at least once every day. The wanting to make a difference and the possibility that one may be posted about, is what has been keeping teens already using the site, coming back multiple times a week. The overall goal of Blabtree is to provide an intriguing and robust online platform that strengthens the bond between the student body, and fights against the very prevalent issue of bullying head on.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
Both junior high and high school can be tough places for teenagers. On top of the intense school work, students are often faced with harmful gossip, bullying, and pressure from their peers, all of which can affect their overall happiness and self-esteem. Say for example an 11th grader named Tim is having a terrible week. First his girl friend breaks up with him, and then later in the week he fails an important test. On top of this his parents have been fighting non stop the whole week and are contemplating divorce. These are all realistic problems that could occur in a young person's life and all of this had been taking a toll on him emotionally. Tim is beginning to feel that he is the cause of his parents grief and with all of the stresses of the week Tim begins to feel depressed and feels like giving up. Recently students from his school have been participating in a website Blabtree, so he logs on to see what it is all about. Tim finds that someone has written a kind paragraph about him on his tree, which highlights his strengths and why he is liked. This small paragraph makes Tim reevaluate his self worth and really feel like he means something. It gives Tim the small boost of confidence he needs to get him through the week. This is exactly what Blabtree is about, making a direct impact in teen's lives. By giving students an online platform to share positivity, an impact is being made in the lives of those who send love and who receive it. Blabtree will teach teens just how easy it is to find someone to appreciate each day.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Blabtree is not offering a temporary emotional/impulse fix as many non-profits do, but instead is offering an actual product that can be utilized by teens on a continual basis.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Blabtree is an online social venture that gives students the ability to post positive messages about each other anonymously.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
Blabtree gives students the ability to post positive affirmations about fellow classmates/teachers on one central online platform.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Since launching & promoting to local students in December of 2011, Blabtree has grown to be used by students from several high schools within the Sacramento area with over 600 positive postings directed towards students and teachers already made.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
The goal for Blabtree is to reach as many young people as possible and that includes students from all over the US and abroad. After funding we will be able to implement some additional features to our site as well as ramp up our marketing which will both help Blabtree become a more viral product.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Obtain early stage/seed funding.
Task 2
Create partnerships with organizations and celebrities/high profile individuals to propel growth of Blabtree.
Task 3
Gain coverage on major national television station
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Obtain sufficient funding.
Task 2
Have Blabtree working effectively in schools all across the United States
Task 3
Have Blabtree's recognition level as high as possible in the US.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
Blabtree was originally started as an anonymous question and answer website directed at teens, but with no real set goals. I created Blabtree in the summer going into my first year of college at the University of Arizona and launched it in the Fall of 2010 to students. I began marketing Blabtree to students from a few schools in the Sacramento area but soon found that many inappropriate and insensitive questions were being asked. Not wanting Blabtree to become the next "Juicy Campus" I took the site down after only two weeks live and really started brainstorming what I wanted the site to be. Eventually I had my "Aha!" moment while in the shower for what I wanted Blabtree to be. I knew of the problems of bullying in schools and I personally knew how it felt to not feel appreciated, as I experienced severe depression my senior year in high school. Realizing that I could make a huge difference in the lives of others with the new Blabtree, I relaunched and have been at it ever since.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Blabtree currently has partnerships with BRAVE, an anti-bullying non-profit, as well as Mike Hall, an inspirational speaker. As we grow we hope to obtain further partnerships to help the growth of Blabtree.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
Blabtree currently has a strong core team as well as a strong team of advisors which includes a successful business owner, an executive consultant to IBM, a Stanford graduate, and more successful individuals. In order to achieve our growth milestones we will need to expand our team to add individuals with stronger connections into the tech and news media world, as well as investors.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
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