KleveConnect – Spanning a network with one app

Do you know your way around Kleve? And do you know which products can be found where? For 15 years, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences has been attracting many people from abroad to study in Kleve, but even locals sometimes say “Oh, I didn’t know that!” when they learn something new.

Two students, Abdul Rahman El Sibai and Danial Sharghi, want to provide an overview and create a network. They know from their own experience that much of what the local population knows is passed on by word of mouth. Making this information available to everyone is at the heart of their idea.

Discover local products

Their idea: to establish a digital marketplace that goes beyond the function of a pure online shop. Users of the app should not only be able to discover local products and services, but also receive information about their origin and production, see the profiles of the suppliers and ideally place an order directly. Similar to social media channels, suppliers should be able to share stories, i.e. short content such as videos and photos, in their profile and thus keep users up to date on developments.

KleveConnect is built on the three pillars of services, agriculture and retail and catering. It offers farmers in particular an opportunity to highlight their offerings compared to other points of sale such as supermarkets.

By showcasing local players, the app contributes to supporting the local economy and helps people to shop more sustainably. “If you know the suppliers on your doorstep, you have shorter shopping distances and protect the climate,” says Abdul Rahman El Sibai. “And by researching on our platform, you can get to know Kleve better in less time,” adds Danial Sharghi.

Support for small businesses

The two students are certain that buying from regional suppliers promotes local economic cycles and supports smaller businesses in particular. After all, farm shops, independent concept stores or the gallery next door, to name just a few examples, do not have the marketing budgets of large chain stores. However, the KleveConnect app makes them visible to local shoppers.

Danial Sharghi and Abdul Rahman El Sibai, both students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, have applied for the Klever Birne 2024 student prize. They want to use the prize money to drive the development of the app forward. They are currently looking for a designer, preferably from the Kleve area, to give KleveConnect a visual regional touch.