bondsy

Bondsy operated as a mobile-based social marketplace designed to facilitate the trading of goods and services among friends. Founded by Diego Zambrano, the company emerged from the TechStars NY accelerator program and launched its iPhone application to the public in May 2013. Zambrano, originally from Brazil, had a background in interactive projects and advertising, having worked for major agencies like Ogilvy NY and R/GA NY before creating Bondsy. His prior experiences included creating a socially-driven blog to critique the Brazilian prison system, which led to a lawsuit by the Rio de Janeiro government that he ultimately won on free speech grounds.

The platform was positioned as a "social network of things" where the primary mode of transaction was not necessarily monetary. It encouraged users to sell, trade, or give away items and services within their trusted social circle, including friends and friends-of-friends. This model aimed to reduce the discomfort and logistical issues associated with traditional online marketplaces by fostering transactions based on personal connections. The application's interface was often compared to a mix of Instagram and eBay, where users would post pictures of items and others could make offers in the comments.

What set Bondsy apart was its emphasis on bartering and non-cash exchanges. Users could request anything in return for their items, from tangible goods like home-cooked meals to services like plumbing. This approach intended to create stories around objects and transform transactions into social interactions that could strengthen friendships. The platform operated on a trust-based system, as it did not process payments or take a commission on transactions; users were responsible for arranging and completing the exchanges themselves.

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