Draft:Makeke

Makeke is a digital marketplace startup based in the United Kingdom. Users can discover and buy products from independent retailers, shown in a short-form video feed organized by their proximity to a local community.

It can be accessed with a smart phone app or via web browser.

History
In 2020 the idea for Makeke was conceived by Jenniffer Gearheart-Tang and Dr. Adam Harman-Clarke as an online marketplace where users could discover and buy from independent retailers with ability to prioritize the businesses based upon their association to a local community and economy.

A collaboration project was started under !nnov8, an innovation consultancy and incubator. Design work and early technical trials were conducted The Hop Yard, a retail startup center and entertainment venue hosting multiple early-stage businesses.

In 2020, Innovate UK awarded the project a £50,000 Business-Led Innovation in Response to Global Disruption grant for creation of a Proof-of-Concept.. . The grant was awarded to only 112 out of over 8,000 submission.

Makeke was registered in the UK as a private limited company in preparation for the project's evolution into an independent entity

In 2021, Innovate UK awarded an additional £25,000 grant to further develop the platform.

The project was spun out from the incubator and came fully under the control of Makeke Private Limited.

In 2023, development began on short-form video video user experience. Makeke was officially released to the public just before Christmas.

In 2024, Makeke launched their Pre-Seed funding round.

On 27 February 2024, New York Weekly published an interview with CEO and Co-Founder Jenniffer Gearheart-Tang about the future of shopping.

Overview
The app provides the user a feed of short-form product videos, based on proximity of the retail seller's proximity to a local area. This shoppertainment experience combines features found in social media apps and on e-commerce sites such as TikTok and Etsy.

Emphasis is placed on on unique brands and premium products from boutique companies, artisan and crafted items, and speciality foods.

The user experience is geared towards towards digital-first shoppers and conscious consumerism

Typical sellers on Makeke are sole traders and Private Limited small businesses with 2-25 employees. Chain stores and public limited corporations are not accepted on the platform.