Squamish’s Nelson Languedoc, 21, has created a free app that connects freelancers and those looking to hire locals.
The Indie Spear app, currently in the beta phase, is an online job marketplace for those offering or looking for services in anything from web development or car repair to plumbing or tutoring, Languedoc said.
“Indie is a synonym of free and spear is synonym for lance so ‘freelance,’” Languedoc explained.
The difference between Indie Spear and other job online forums such as Craigslist, according to Languedoc, is that his app will notify members as soon as a job comes online, freelancers can be invited to bid on jobs, and there’s a review system in place so both parties know more about the transaction. Payments can be made through the site as well.
“It is much more organized,” said Languedoc.
Milestones are also tracked, so as a project is completed, updates are shown.
The app is the result of a rather unhappy period in Languedoc’s life about two years ago, he said.
“I was working commercial construction in Vancouver and I hated it so much,” he recalled. He had some skills, such as design and computer programming, he said, but the routes to getting a job using those skills would involve crippling student debt and “pretty slim hopes of getting a job.”
He eventually left construction, took a course in web development and got to work on his application.
According to Naomi Dunaway
of Squamish’s WorkBC Employment Services Centre, local youth and in particular young entrepreneurs such as Languedoc currently have more opportunities than ever before.
“Many start-up funding organizations target youth directly, such as Futurpreneur, so there are a lot of resources for young people who want to strike out on their own,” she said.
“B.C. is actively supporting the tech sector, and it’s no surprise that the combination of a young population and an active lifestyle makes Squamish a fertile ground for young tech entrepreneurs. You have proximity to a major city centre but you can also work remotely, reducing the need to commute.”
Languedoc’s Indie Spear isn’t quite complete, he said. He wants to build in a dispute management system, so he has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Generosity.com to raise money to upgrade the application.
To check out the app, go to indiespear.com.
