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Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

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Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#41

Post by timgriffin77 »

tedmiston wrote: post #37

This sounds like a great idea and looks like a cool app so far. A desktop web app version would be nice to have. One curious question would be how do you scale business onboarding with so many different coffee shops with subtly different menus? > We're sometimes asked: why is no one else doing this? There are many mobile ordering apps, but they've all but ignored the coffee market. There is also the Starbucks partner…

Thank you - and we definitely have a web app on the roadmap (ChowNow does this well).

We were able to solve the varying menus relatively quickly, because after building hundreds of them we realized how similar they were - just random variations of names, sizes, prices, etc. We built out a core menu with built-in descriptions for common items, and we just modify those based on what shops want.

In terms of incumbents, to be honest we haven't spent much time worrying about this. If they build something to compete, so be it. The only thing in our control is how we build the product and network at this point, so we're staying focused on that!

Sorry about the mixup, I had mistakenly changed the link the app was redirecting to, but it should be fixed now. Regardless, you can submit referrals here (https://www.cloosiv.com/invite-a-brand)

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#42

Post by tdeck »

Square really tried to make this work with Square Order - for a while the explicit focus was on coffee. Unfortunately that wasn't successful in getting the usage numbers hoped for, and was eventually shut down. I hope you're able to make it work but this gives me a bit of deja vu.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#43

Post by timgriffin77 »

sbuccini wrote: post #40

I’m always stoked to see scrappy, consumer-focused startups from N.C. on HN. There are dozens of us! I’m excited to see the scene grow.

Thank you - the startup community in N.C. is small, but that also means it's supportive!

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#44

Post by timgriffin77 »

tdeck wrote: post #42

Square really tried to make this work with Square Order - for a while the explicit focus was on coffee. Unfortunately that wasn't successful in getting the usage numbers hoped for, and was eventually shut down. I hope you're able to make it work but this gives me a bit of deja vu.

Yep - they tried to build it twice I think. We were worried about that when we started, because we knew a partnership with them would be helpful. After working with them for a while now, I think it's clear they still believe in the opportunity.

In terms of why it didn't work out, I think there are two factors to consider:

1) it wasn't their flagship product 2) they had a capped market of support. In essence, they could only build a network of locations within their existing ecosystem, and despite that being large, it wouldn't be big enough to win the space.

I think a 3rd party is most likely to succeed here, because we can facilitate integrations with all of the POS providers, and build a really big network that way.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#45

Post by S33V »

Kiro wrote: post #35
bb88 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate this, I really do. But that is a problem that could be solved by just adding more Starbucks and Dunkins, who already have their own platform. I travel a lot. And one of the unsung features of the Starbucks app, is that the density of stores and the app means I'm never more than 15 minutes away from a consistent coffee experience. I also did exactly what you were doing back in 2012ish. We even had an app.…

> It turns out that not waiting 5 minutes for your order kinda leaves out the whole experience of talking to the barista, getting that smile at 6am when you're not feeling it yourself, and the personal experience of the hand crafted beverage. I'm pretty sure you're in minority wanting this though. I absolutely dread getting too personal with my barista, to the point that I start going to another place if they recogni…

Believe it or not, a lot of people see going to coffee shops as a social experience. My SO works at a Starbucks and the amount of people that come in on a daily basis just to get human contact is very surprising.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#46

Post by timgriffin77 »

pmtarantino wrote: post #38

How it works for cafés? They must own an iPad / Computer, or you provide with the PoS?

Good question. Most of the shops we work with use a POS system on a tablet like an iPad, so they just use the Cloosiv Merchant app to field orders. If they don't have a tablet or phone we offer them a tablet they can use while they're accepting Cloosiv. In the future, it's our goal to complete integrations with the major POS providers so any shop can use the app.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#48

Post by timgriffin77 »

tobylane wrote: post #47

Sorry if it’s a detail not connected to you, but how easy is it to order a drink to be put in the customers reusable container?

Definitely important, thanks for asking. We haven't solved for this yet, a couple ideas weren't well received by owners. I think when we roll out a user profile option, we can start introducing some sort of tagging system to associate a number of different solutions for things like student/military discounts and reusable cups (i.e. pay on the app, get the drink when you arrive.

Another option that will roll out soon will be issuing a card that can be used in digital wallets like Apple/Google Pay. One of the best ways the delivery apps (DoorDash, Postmates, etc.) gained traction was not having to ask permission to list places like Starbucks on their app. They could get traction at a location and use it win sales with big brands. By releasing a card payment option, we'll be able to effectively do the same thing.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#49

Post by wtvanhest »

timgriffin77 wrote: post #11
shubhamjain wrote: post #5

I am not your target market, but holy shit, that's one heck of a write-up. I couldn't have been more "meh" seeing the title, but you sold me on everything—the size of a market, the growth, how you're doing no one else is and why it's an awesome opportunity. An amazing pitch. I hope you well for success.

Really appreciate the support!

> Starbucks is the largest chain, but they only process 2.5% of those daily sales.

Seriously shocking.

Re: Launch HN: Cloosiv (YC S19) – Order ahead from local coffee shops

#50

Post by timgriffin77 »

wtvanhest wrote: post #49
timgriffin77 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really appreciate the support!

> Starbucks is the largest chain, but they only process 2.5% of those daily sales. Seriously shocking.

Same! I couldn't believe it either.

If you're interested, look into Luckin' Coffee too - their rise to power is remarkable.

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