Name: Yumani
One-Liner Pitch: Yumani reverses the traditional formula for the online marketplace.
Why It's Taking Off: Post the items you want to buy, and watch sellers compete for your business.
Henry Zilberman thought the idea of buyers having to compete with other buyers online for the items they want (à la eBay), was backwards. That's why he created Yumani, an online marketplace where sellers compete for your business.
On Yumani, buyers can browse through thousands of products, including kitchenware, consumer appliances and electronics. After they find their desired item, they post it, and watch as sellers compete for their sale.
“Yumani is unique because no one else offers a reverse where sellers are competing for the buyers’ business,” CEO Michael O’Hara told Mashable in an interview. “Sellers don’t have to go look for customers, and buyers get what they want at fair prices.”
If buyers don't see their preferred item, they can create a listing of the item they want, and Yumani will notify the sellers. Sellers will then offer their best prices to buyers. When a buyer's auction expires, they can choose to accept or decline a seller's lowest offer.
There is no cost for posting an item, and every selling price includes taxes and shipping fees.
Looking to buy an item that others are searching for, as well? Yumani’s “Yunite” feature lets buyers create a request for a product, and invite others to join their group. For example, if you and your classmates need a specific calculator before starting school, just “Yunite” by inviting them to your group, and sellers will offer a group discount for the item. Buyers can also post a Yunite to Facebook and Twitter.
Most sellers on Yumani are recognized professionals. Users can sign up as a professional or casual seller, and then select their item or category. They can place their free bids to win business, and monitor their auctions until they make a sale.
Yumani launched in October, and has nearly 8,000 users and 700 sellers. The company raised $2 million in funding.