AuthentiCitys

Investors pitch for final senior thesis presentation.

Getting Close to Our Customers

We survey hundreds of travelers across 35 countries and hit the streets of Barcelona to talk to tourists, residents and small shop-owners.

I meet with business owners around Barcelona. This is Marta, she owns a ecological beauty store and has been struggling with social marketing.

Launching a Social Enterprise

I completed my MBA at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, the Smart City capital of the world. It was the perfect playground to explore the intersection of business, technology and smart design.

The summer before my senior year I partnered with two entrepreneurs to launch a social business. After three months of research and testing the AuthentiCIties concept was born. Determined to go further, I formed a team to take the idea to market as part of my senior thesis. Today, AuthentiCitys is a program that has worked with over 50 community activists to develop business solutions for a better city.

Challenge. How to connect conscious consumers to do-good businesses?

Approach. We explored, experimented and tested several models over a year, engaging 15 professionals in the process to develop the business. As a Business Designer I conducted market and consumer research, led stakeholder workshops, and commercial analyses to define a viable business model.

Results.

Launched AuthentiCitys business.
Developed a viable revenue and growth model.
Received national press and invited to speak at major startup events (Betahaus, Berlin Challenge Cup, Responsible Tourism Conference).
Engaged 15 professionals, 3 major universities and over 50 community activists to develop solutions for local challenges.

Developing a Vision

We took the business model through hundreds (okay not hundreds) but MANY MANY iterations. We pivoted left, right, up, down and back around and met with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors who pushed us to think a step further, offered guidance and mentorship. With so many moving parts it was important not to lose sight of our vision and aim.

We design a website for AuthentiCitys to help guide the concept as it develops.

We develop a manifesto to help guide the business as it moves through different iterations.

Spreading the Word

Key to any new venture is getting the word out about your mission. It was exciting to see how many people jumped on board with the idea and helped us develop it out.

We present at conferences and pitch at startup events.

We get a write up in a national newspaper!

A Business in Motion

Today AuthentiCitys is being moved forward by one of our co-founders as a fast-paced entrepreneurship experience where you learn-by-doing while creating a positive change in the city you live.

"It is an open initiative that tackles social problems by bringing together social enterprises, students, and tourists through a human-centred, learning-by-doing methodology."