WeekendNotes - TXT4Coffee

TXT4Coffee - Coffee Ordering & Payment System

By Natasha Murrihy

Having worked as a children's TV Producer, I am now a busy mum to three children under three. I enjoy writing about the places we visit together and the adventures we go on. Follow me on twitter #NatashaMurrihy

Write for WeekendNotes | Feature an Event

Published July 12th 2012

Attention all coffee drinkers - I've found it now. The easiest, most painless, and certainly most convenient way to grab a coffee quickly - txt4coffee.com.au

I first noticed this website promoted at one of my local cafes, as I was queuing up and waiting for my coffee, which I now realise, was totally unnecessary and anarchic, especially as I was in a rush and the babies were not happy to be kept waiting. txt4coffee is a site or app on your iPad, PC or any sort of phone that allows you to search for your nearest cafe, send through your order and pay for it. Which means that the hardest thing for you left to do is to open the car door once you arrive at your coffee destination of choice.

Fathers to small children of their own, business partners Daniel Filmer and Jarrod O'Connell started the txt4coffee venture for exactly the same reason that it is becoming so popular. Working in Brisbane city during the week, they had to battle lengthy queues and waiting times to fulfil their caffeine addiction, where most cafes wouldn't let you even phone orders through. And then on weekends would have to drag the kids out of the car in order to just grab a quick coffee. Hence txt4coffee was born, which allowed customers to SMS orders through to selected cafes. After working closely with small coffee shops and cafe owners, Daniel and Jarrod developed the concept further to allow customers to place their order online or through the app and pay for it. This means that effectively there is no waiting time - you jump the queue - jumping in front of people who haven't yet found out the convenience of this site and app. And unbelievably, the app and online site are all free.

With 6000 customers and 250 cafes working with them around Australia, it means that you'll have plenty of choice when it comes to your coffee and location, with many more coffee shops set to come come on board.

Daniel says that small business is always challenging and that they are always learning, often as they go. They look for lots of engagement through social media to get feedback from customers and cafe owners about their experiences and have worked carefully with both to ensure that the experience for all stays a very positive one. One idea that is about to roll out, is an ambassador program where customers get rewarded for referring new shops or new friends.

Believe me, there is little more than being able to bypass a long queue, walk to the counter and grab your coffee. This is a must-have for any coffee addict.

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#100kcupsoffame

	You are way too good looking not to be famous…
		Here’s your chance!!
				Like TXT4Coffee on facebook or follow us on twitter for your chance to be seen by 100,000 people across Australia!
				We’re making history... Why not slap your face all over that!

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River City Labs launches with pledge to create Brisbane start-up “ecosystem”

By Michelle Hammond 
Tuesday, 07 February 2012

Queensland tech entrepreneur Stephen Baxter is preparing to launch his latest project, a co-working space known as River City Labs, as he attempts to fill a gap for Brisbane tech start-ups.

Based in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, River City Labs is a converted warehouse covering 550 square metres, which hopes to house 70 entrepreneurs in the next 20 months.

“It’s a co-working and shared working space. It’s about creating an ecosystem in Brisbane for early stage businesses… The reason I did it is because it doesn’t exist,” Baxter says.

Baxter says while the state does play host to a business incubator known as ilab, supported by the Queensland Government, it has left a “foul taste” in the mouths of many Queensland companies.

“Most people tend to believe it didn’t hit the mark… There is nothing tailored towards the early stage mobile and internet space, with a healthy program,” he says.

While River City Labs will not provide funding to any of the start-ups it accommodates, they will gain access to a host of mentors in addition to office facilities.

“It’s an open plan space. They key is the delivery of low-cost services such as internet, boardrooms, desktops, chairs, etc.,” Baxter says.

“We also provide a shared experience with other businesses on a similar path so you’re not alone, effectively.”

“We’re running regular fortnightly programs, developed by our supporters, as well as weekly events otherwise known as pizza and beers on a Friday.”

According to Baxter, there is a “real gap” between long-term incubators such as ilab, and short-term incubators such as Startmate, which “have a short concentration period at the front”.

“For most of the investments I have, they would never get up [in such a short timeframe] – it’s potentially too small of a window,” he says.

“We might say to someone, ‘You’ve been going at this for 12 months and you still have no customers. Do you think this is working?’ But there’s no fixed timeframe.”

Baxter says the role of River City Labs is to “create an environment through a social program”, leaving it up to the start-ups to develop their ideas and secure funding.

“We try and stay out of that transaction. River City Labs is a forum – it’s a marketplace,” he says.

Baxter himself has set aside up to $10 million for private investments over the next five years.

In the last 10 months, he made six investments including start-up cloud provider OrionVM and mobile coffee procurement app developers TXT4Coffee.

He has also taken a non-executive directorship in ASX-listed data centre and fibre operator Vocus.

“I generally like [to invest in] the mobile technology and internet space. That being said, I am investing in an eclectic mix… including an indoor skydiving venture,” he says.

Baxter says the key to securing investment is simple: have a business plan.

“You can’t operate without a plan. Have a plan, know your plan and then be prepared for it to change if need be,” he says.

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