Dipidee, the region's newest startup

"What do you want to do tonight?"
"I don't know. What do you want to do?"

That's the problem that Dipidee, Cincinnati's newest startup, proposes to solve. Dipidee CEO Brian Lecount explains, "Dipidee provides last minute opportunities to people who are open to new and spontaneous experiences. And we'll entice them to take that new experience by offering them a great deal."

Dipidee was formed on Sunday as a result of InOneWeekend where 100 entrepreneurs came together last Friday, and over the course of the weekend identified a market opportunity and launched the business.

Dipidee sees a market opportunity in exposing the region's arts and entertainment venues to a new consumer base in an interesting and engaging fashion. Most venues hold on to unsold inventory in the form of unsold tickets. To the consumer willing to try something new at the last minute, Dipidee will essentially tap the consumer on the shoulder and say, "You ought to try this. They have some tickets left for this show." Dipidee will provide an opportunity unique to the consumer by introducing them to a new venue.

The benefit is two-fold. First, the region's arts and entertainment venues have an opportunity to clear unsold time-sensitive inventory. And second, consumers can break out of the rut of rehashing the same familiar haunts.

In the race to revenue that all startups face, Dipidee will initially focus on the arts and entertainment sector. But that is where the vision begins. "The long-term opportunity reaches into the services industry," says Lecount. For instance, "If a day spa has unscheduled appointments available later that day for, say, a $100 massage, the spa can make that appointment known on Dipidee at a favorable rate. The spa has an opportunity to fill the appointment, keep the masseuse working, and perhaps draw a customer into the spa that would not have walked in otherwise."

With a planned launch in October 2009, Dipidee will look to partner with local art organizations, sporting events and charity events to advertise their tickets. Numerous deals, many with exclusive experiences, will be promoted each day and consumers can purchase them via their website.

Writer: Andy Erickson
Source: Dipidee CEO Brian Lecount , InOneWeekend
Photography by Scott Beseler