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T H E A G O R A A P P L I C AT I O N C O M P E T I T O R A N A LY S I S From inception Agora will be completely online; we have no need for a physical business address nor the costs that come with it for the inital 6months of business. Primarily existing as both a desktop and mobile application, Agora will tap into the Apple Store and Google Play platforms for initial no-cost advertising in the first year of development. Agora hopes to build traction by utilising collaborative events to build a network of early adopters for brand recognition as well as product precedents to utilise on our social media platforms. Q UA L I T Y O F B U I L D I N G M AT E R I A L S BEING TRADED
SIZE OF TRADING NETWORK
• Trend towards digitally based 'sharing economy' businesses • Agora fills the gap as the first peer-to-peer market for architectural services • Building construction waste accounts for 40% of Australia's total waste. Agora's platform links construction sites (waste creators) with designers and their prospective architecture clients as a 'one-stop-shop' for upcycling building materials • Existing informal platforms for material trade and C&D waste recycling are Ebay, Gumtree, and community Facebook groups • Unlike competitors, Agora provides built in quality assurances for material selection • Design professionals assist clients in the whole design lifecycle from recycled material selection to design completion The most exciting aspect of the Agora model is growth. Initially commencing with client registration for skilled services incorporating areas of architectural design such as research, analysis, feasibility studies, schematic design, design development, documentation and project management, the Agora App plans to expand into many more fields encompassing the construction and civil morphoses. Planning for accelerated growth, Agora hopes for a global future. Trialling the platform in alternative Australian cities after benchmark success has been reached within Melbourne, Agora will move to both Brisbane and Perth, before landing internationally in Portland, Oregon. However, don’t be misled – whilst Agora may think globally, we still act locally.
S T R AT E G I C P L A N
AGORA | B U S I N E S S P L A N 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 3 0 +
S W O
STRENGTHS • Varied skill and network capabilities of founding partners - IT, Marketing, Design + Architecture • Low cost start-up (online business) • Technologically driven and online savy team
WEAKNESSES • Limited initial funding ($125k) • Much still to learn about built environment industry (mitigate by speaking regularly with mentors from MAP scholarship)
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OPPORTUNITIES Construction waste recycling is a pertinent problem and hot topic in Australia, especially Victoria No directly comparable digital competitors in this niche space of business. We are disrupting the norm. The topic of waste recycling and sustainability speaks to many people within and outside the industry
T H R E AT S • •
Government regulations/restrictions to construction waste recycling process Safety assurances (quality control of material being recycled)
