Idea Napkin No. 1

1.
My name is Agatha Robinson. I transferred to UF in the fall 2018 semester. I am majoring in Information Systems and Operations Management. since transferring to UF, I have had the drive and need to get more involved in the campus and help it improve. By the time I graduate, which is next year, I would like to see some of the change that I think would be beneficial to the university be considered by the faculty. This business would play a major role in my life because I thought of it based off of my own experiences. This business idea would be beneficial to me every day.

2.
The business idea is a new SNAP program made simply for off-campus students called SNAPX. SNAPX would run during regular SNAP hours from 6:30pm to 3:00 am, however it would take students to their off-campus apartments that are within 1-2 miles from UF. SNAPX would include a van set specifically for the off-campus route to make the ride as short and convenient as possible for off-campus students. It is meant to ensure that off-campus students have a safe and free mode of transportation late at night. SNAPX would only take students from campus to the apartments, not vice versa. SNAPX would be accessed through the same app used for SNAP. Drivers would notify students when they arrive to pick them up.

3.
I am offering it to University of Florida students who live 1-2 miles off campus and feel uncomfortable walking home. It is made specifically for students who end up leaving campus to go home late at night. Also, it is targeted towards students who do not have a car or a scooter to get around campus. Males and females can use SNAPX, however mostly females would use it because females tend to be targeted at night more than males.

4. 
Customers will care because it will offer a safe, free, and convenient mode of transportation late at night. They will no longer have to walk or uber home which costs money. They also do not have to wait at a bus stop alone outside which can be dangerous. Also, during the winter months, off-campus students will not have to walk home in the cold.

5. 
SNAPX would provide a free transportation service that it safe for off-campus students. Uber does have a discounted price for late at night, however, it is only for certain regions so it does not apply to some off-campus students. There is a late night bus, however, it may be dangerous to ride the bus at that time of night. Also, it may be running late so off-campus students would have to wait outside at the bus stop which is not safe either. SNAPX is free, would carry only UF students, and notifies the students when they arrive so students do not have to wait outside.

I do think these elements fit together. SNAPX satisfies an unmet need for safe transportation among the UF off-campus community. Weaknesses would be that I do not have the resources to get such a program implemented.  Also, if I were to get it started, getting another van for off-campus students were be costly. One last weakness is that since SNAP is a program offered by UF, leaving UF grounds could be seen as a liability if something goes wrong.