Melody Clark

Communications Specialist

Technology & Social Change (TASCHA)

tascha.uw.edu

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fahad Rao <fahadrao@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 9, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Subject: [TIER] Introducing ClubInternet
To: tier@tier.cs.berkeley.edu

Hey!

There are 4.3 billion people who don't use internet. At ClubInternet, we're developing an app that works as an internet onboarding 'funnel' for mobile users. It can potentially create the culture of reliance on internet among the unconnected. You can catch a glimpse of what exactly we're developing in this unique video clip: http://vimeo.com/clubinternet/google. Please inbox me directly if you want to see more.

Note: Compilation of other income groups and nationalities are coming soon.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Background:

As i said, there are 4.3 billion 'unconnected' people in the world. The smartphone will be the first computing device that the unconnected will eventually own, becoming their gateway to the internet. The likes of Facebook's internet.org and Google's Project Loon are already doing commendable work to connect the unconnected. Making internet access affordable, expanding infrastructure and optimizing data requirements are some of the initiatives being worked on.

But there's a gap here: all these are 'supply side' efforts, in that they intend to increase the supply of the internet (in economic terms). What's missing are demand side efforts: creating demand among the unconnected for mobile internet and basic internet services such as search engines, social networking, multimedia, knowledge portals etc. In other words, the unconnected will need to be shown WHY and HOW the internet can enable improvement in their lives, for them to want to effectively onboard on to it.

If the demand for internet is bolstered successfully in line with its supply, we can connect the 4.3 billion unconnected in an economically sustainable way. That's a core mission of ours at ClubInternet.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Collaboration:

TIER's network is both deep and wide, and many of the minds here care deeply about emerging technologies in developing economies. At this stage, we're looking for networking - any and all help/mentoring/feedback/cross-pollination of ideas to assist us in ramping up is more than welcome!

The internet is the ultimate enabling technology, and we're confident that our initiative can steadily impact everything: from the global knowledge economy and living standards, to the profitability of consumer tech giants. Our team comprises experienced entrepreneurs who have worked in the realm of enterprise social networking and social gaming in the past. Our team is very excited about what the future holds for ClubInternet, and welcome all queries. Inbox me for more details, I'm waiting to talk to you!

Cheers,

Fahad.

Founder @ clubinternet.co

Skype: fahad_rao

M:+923455885441

pk.linkedin.com/in/fahadrao/

www.clubinternet.co WIP

_______________________________________________
TIER mailing list
Website: http://tier.cs.berkeley.edu
TIER@tier.cs.berkeley.edu
https://www.millennium.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tier