700070Mixing real-life and online networksClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKBlendology is the company behind an exciting concept that captures real-life social and professional encounters, like digital handshakes, and shares that information in an online interface. This project addresses the business opportunity that has been created by new digital technologies in the form of an inexpensive portable electronic device that can be used to enable people to effortlessly exchange contact information during sponsored events such as music festivals, sports venues, conferences and exhibitions. Now more than ever, people understand the value of extending their social and professional networks. Equally, brand managers are aware of the importance of identifying and empowering potential brand ambassadors – event attendees with a high propensity to form new social connections – since these people provide highly efficient viral marketing channels. Success of the business is dependent on early mass adoption of the proposed device by a significant proportion of event attendees. Hence it will be made available to brand managers and event organisers at a very low cost, comparable to that of a USB stick give-away, which they will then distribute to users for free. Brand and event organisers buy the device, secondary revenue streams come from advanced statistical services and optional branding and customisation of the device. The Proof of Market project will investigate the following areas: * Market opportunity; * Direct and indirect competition; * Perceived value of the product to the user and the buyer; * Messaging, communication and positioning of the brand; * Device design and usability, testing of space-models; * Platform design and usability; * Distribution channels and adoption rates, and * Intellectual property potential. Results of this research will define marketing strategy and shape the product, in order to enable the early mass adoption that is vital for success. This is a new way to connect in reallife.