Seven Answers

So, we took Fernando's great idea and turned it around a bit. First, we decided to focus it in the US. Then, we decided that one of our core competencies would be mico-lending rather than promotion or marketing for micro-borrowers. Here are our answers to the seven core questions that we will use to form our first straw man:

1. Who is our target audience (hint: Don't try to be all things to all people)
New Orleans Detroit USA recession-specific - Experience qualifies - Laid-off people getting back on their feet.
Investor community in target cities and in DC area.

2. What is the competitive landscape? (hint: Sites that do it well)

Kiva -
Local investment clubs -
Government investment programs -
http://www.spot.us/ - people make micro donations to support the story ($10 a point).

3. How do we differentiate ourselves? (hint: Secret sauce) -
Focusing in the USA
combined investor pool
Mentor - level - Mentor-level people get a "glow factor" return.
Public micro-loan level
Make stronger relationships between lenders and borrowers and mentor, inspect, advise.
Wikinomics - approach to larger group of mentors.

4. How do we create our site? (hint: Staff and schedule)
Paid staff and volunteer force to build organization.
Put together beginning social network
Phase 1 - 2 - 3. Start with simple but effective site and build up as interest grows.

5. How do we get our content? (hint: Pre-built, manual, automatic, updated)
Investors - advice
Static advice and resources and links
User-generated
Reporting from businesses started
Pull in business stories for our niches

6. How do we market our site? (hint: Spread the word)
Audience to the small niche business stories.
Press coverage
Email marketing - Build lists of site visitors
Social Networking - large group of investors post on S/N email friends, get press,
Other volunteers who have marketing expertise.

7. How do we sustain the site? (hint: Show me the $$$)
Non-profit
Go after donors.
Look for a return. Hopefully look for a 10% annual return on all investments.
Membesrhip fee for entrepreneurs.