Startup Talk: Mowing Your Lawn, There’s An App For That

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1 MILLION CUPS PRESENTER OFFERS MATCH SERVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS, LAWNCARE CONTRACTORS
Just in time for the spring mowing season, a Fayetteville early stage, startup that uses technology to provide “on demand” no-contract lawn service was featured at Wednesday’s edition of 1 Million Cups.

Lawnly CEO Andrew Motter said his company enables anyone to schedule and pay for lawn care services online by creating a job queue, submitting details and then matching the homeowner with a contractor.

Motter said Lawnly only contracts with qualified and insured lawncare specialists with commercial equipment to bid on jobs.

“We don’t allow strangers or some 16-year old kid to mow your lawn and throw a rock through your window,” Motter said.

Tabbed by one local startup promoter as the “Uber of lawncare,” Motter said Lawnly has already completed 100 lawns since its April 16 launch.

“Money that is spent on Lawnly goes right back into the economy,” he said.

To check out Lawnly’s presentation at 1 Million Cups, see the video here. Or visit their web site at this link.

STARTUP JUNKIE REQUESTING VOTES FOR $100,000 GRANT COMPETITION BY JPMORGANCHASE
Startup Junkie Consulting of Fayetteville is seeking votes in its bid to win the Chase Main Street Mission Grant competition. The grant competition, which is sponsored by banking giant JPMorgan Chase, allows small for-profit businesses to vie for a chance to win $100,000 awards to expand or grow their business.

“All of the mentoring, coaching and counseling we offer to our startups are offered for free and this grant will allow us to expand our network,” Startup Junkie said in an email blast to entrepreneurs and online followers across the state.

Supporters must have a Facebook page, and can vote for their favorite local business by going to the Chase website and typing in the name of the company they like best. Applications to participate must be submitted by Friday, June 5, 2015.

To vote for Startup Junkie or your favorite small business, go here.

TECH GIANTS MAKE BET ON DOCUMENT SIGNING TECHNOLOGY
Tech giants Dell and Intel are investing nearly $300 million in another fast-growing digital company that allows consumers to sign, send and manage digital and online legal documents at the touch of a mousepad.

Silicon Valley-based DocuSign announced recently that it Dell and Intel Capital have made strategic investments in DocuSign, bringing the company’s Series F round of funding to more than $278 million.

To date, DocuSign has already received funding from the venture capital arms of such companies as Google, Visa, Samsung, Comcast, Salesforce.com, BBVA and the National Association of Realtors.

“We’re excited at the opportunity to help DocuSign achieve its massive potential as it transforms Digital Transaction Management worldwide,” said Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO, Dell.