Today ambitious entrepreneurs in practically any field can launch an app and start their own business. At USC, enterprising undergraduates have garnered attention for apps that bring a new spin to the marketplace. Here are three:
ENVOY NOW
How it works: Targeted at college students, this app allows users to order late-night munchies delivered by a fellow classmate. Why a classmate? Unlike the neighborhood pizza guy, students have the after-hours access needed to drop off food at secure campus spots.
Fresh take: USC Marshall senior Anthony Zhang, who created the app with three other USC students, sees it as a service for hungry night owls, as well as for students who want to earn extra money around their own campus.
DROPS
How it works: Shea Rouda, a USC Dornsife senior majoring in East Asian languages and cultures, created an app to make charitable giving easier. It allows consumers to round up their charges for everyday purchases to the next dollar, accruing money over time to donate to partner organizations.
Fresh take: Charities can respond to donors directly, sending updates or pictures and providing a personalized experience so that donors can see how they helped the organization.
LUCKY DAY
How it works: USC Marshall senior Joshua Javaheri landed first place at the 2015 Silicon Beach Fest for his free gaming app that pays users to play simple games like a virtual scratch card or slot machine. Ads are embedded directly into the game; a scratch-off game might reveal an ad for a café as the user plays.
Fresh take: Upending the traditional advertising model, the app creates interactive ads that can engage users, and then pays players directly from its ad revenue.
