1.  Marketplace for short-term office rentals

    A new service from iStopOver makes it easy for people to rent (very) short-term business space worldwide. Created by Canadian technology enterprise Brightspark, the website provides a fully-automated service that connects offices with office-needers. Listing is free for hosts, while guests are charged a 6–11% service fee.

    Rental terms can range anywhere from a few hours to several months, with spaces for rent including warehouses, boardrooms, offices, desks—even parking spaces. Users can refine their search according to particular requirements, such as wifi access, phone systems, catering, etc. (The service was launched two months ago, so available properties are still limited.) Guests and hosts can communicate through the site to exchange details. The booking process is automated, and iStopOver handles all payments online, only releasing payment to the host when they enter a reservation code given to them by the guest on arrival. This acts as a security measure for guests, giving them the option to leave without revealing their reservation code if the workspace doesn’t match up to its description. The benefits? Those without offices gain access to a suitable working environment and professional image, while hosts can make money from empty spaces.

    iStopOver for Office Rentals is an expansion of iStopOver’s original home rental model. iStopOver seems to be into a one-stop solution for short-term rentals.

    You can also start a similar service in your region or talk to the guys at istopover and see if they are interested in partnership.

    Website: www.istopover.com/office
    Contact: www.istopover.com/office/contact_us

    2.  Crowd Sourcing

      This type of venture connects businesses with ‘crowds’ of graphic designers. Most work with contests, meaning that only the winning designer is paid for his or her efforts.

      While companies like Crowdspring, CustomAdArt and 99designs (formerly SitePoint) tap into a global pool of pro-amateur or underemployed professional designers, a company in the Netherlands recently launched a local version, focusing on Dutch-speaking clients and designers. Like its international brethren, Brandsupply works with contests that run for 7 or 14 days. Clients outline a project and set the price they’re willing to pay, after which designers can submit their suggested solutions.

      The best part of this model is that you can apply it to any niche your interested in. It must not be design.

      Website: www.brandsupply.nl
      Contact: info@brandsupply.nl

      If you need more information or help, write me at talk2magnolia@gmail.com, use the contact page or talk to the geeks at Magnolia Projects

      Don’t forget to share with your friends on the social networks you’re logged on to. Let the ideas go round and you never know who will be the next Gates.

      What do you think of these ideas? (Please leave your comments).