GemShare offers an iPhone app that lets users quickly ask for and give personal local recommendations using a simplified three-tier “gem” rating. Users type a business name, tap a gem to recommend, optionally add a note, create or join groups, and can send requests via email so respondents need not register. The founders are targeting moms and expect growth primarily via word-of-mouth; in testing early adopters were highly engaged, with 70% contributing content. The San Francisco-based startup is a team of seven and the app is a free download on iTunes. GemShare raised $1.2 million in seed funding and is focused on product development and growing its user base. Eventually the company plans to help small businesses get word-of-mouth leads, but for now it emphasizes building a valuable local recommendation resource.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Apr 2014