If you're one of the hundreds of startupers in New England trying to start a business by way of a web- or smartphone-based application, Chargify -- created by another local startup -- might be something worth looking at.
"Chargify helps you bill for your app," said Jonathan Kay from Grasshopper, which created Chargify. "If you're in the Web 2.0 or Software as a Service world, it allows you to bill for your app on a recurring basis. Grasshopper's mission is to build startup products that help companies succeed."
Needham-based Grasshopper is working on creating all kinds of resources for startup companies. Their first product, also known as Grasshopper, is a virtual phone system that helps small companies look and feel more professional. Following some success with the Grasshopper product, the co-founders, both Babson College alums, decided to kick off Grasshopper Labs. The lab's aim s to develop further software solutions for very small companies.
"There are big players out there (like Chargify) that are for big companies. They're only good for the Netflix's of the world, because it can cost as much as $15,000 to integrate into their systems," he explained. " It's difficult to take on those fees when you haven't made any money yet."
Grasshopper's Chargify launched at TC50 in San Francisco back in September, and the product stayed in private Beta until about two months ago. It's now live, and already serving customers with a simple billing solution that helps startupers stay focused on the products they're working on. Prices range, but it sounds like Chargify is eager to develop a good reputation by helping its customers along.
"The first 50 customers our clients bill are free," revealed Kay. "There are no transaction fees or shared revenues. The pricing model is tiered. As startupers ourselves, we know that startup companies need solutions. We just want to see more local startups get off the ground."
Look for another entrepreneur's product to be released by Grasshopper Labs in the next month. Kay wouldn't tell us what it was, but he did say it's aimed at helping startup companies create sales leads through word-of-mouth marketing.
What do you think of Grasshopper's approach? What other startup solutions do you wish you had access to?
