In the midst of its recent rebuild, campus transaction app Tradeversity has found an invaluable ally: USC Student Government.
Student Government partnered with campus leaders to introduce the Columbia-based mobile app, which presents itself as a campus-specific alternative to online transaction services like Craigslist and Close5. SG officers met with students on Davis Field outside Russell House early this week to introduce students to the app and its features. Founded by a USC alumnus, Tradeversity is undergoing its "beta test" at USC, according to Caroline Spadaro, chief of staff to the student body vice president.
“We are excited to also introduce the organization events feed on Tradeversity,” said Student Body Vice President Dani Goodreau in a release announcing the app's launch. “These pages will allow student organizations to advertise upcoming events and to communicate with members and the USC community.”
The app reached five college campuses, including Virginia Tech and Clemson, in February 2016. According to Spadaro, Tradeversity was previously introduced at USC but has since been revamped to better accommodate college students.
To keep the app and its marketplace tailored to each university it reaches, only students, staff and faculty with active university email accounts may take part in trades of goods and services. Additionally, Tradeversity can only be used within 10 miles of campus. The trades themselves can include anything from furniture and textbooks to tutoring, says the company website.
"Photography, textbooks, clothes," said Scott Salters, student government sergeant-at-arms. "I think it's a good way to have safe trading on campus."
Spadaro emphasized the app's safety in comparison to other transaction platforms. To prevent potential incidents, she said, many of the designated locations for trades are near emergency callboxes.
"Say something sketchy were to happen, you would have a backup plan," Spadaro said.
The app also takes care to address the financial security of traders. Aside from transactions with cash or through Venmo, sellers have the option to receive funds directly through Tradeversity's secure payment function.
"You know that if you want to go through the app, you'll definitely get your money," Spadaro said. "It's just like a more secure way to ensure that you're getting money for whatever good or service you're selling."
Tradeversity was founded by Mike Meyers, an alumnus of USC and business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. Meyers graduated from Darla Moore School of Business in 2014 and has served as the company's CEO ever since. He submitted Tradeversity as a concept for USC's Proving Ground business competition in his senior year and won.
As a way of "giving back" for USC's support, said Spadaro, Tradeversity is offering internships through Student Government. Though the app had a stumbling start at USC, the officers involved in its promotion are optimistic about its future.
"There definitely is a market for it if we push it the right way," Spadaro said.