Be Like Uber and Shake Things Up

There are still some who grumble over Uber, but it seems like the transportation network company simply “don’t got time for that!” Why? Well, when puppies and kittens aren’t being ubered around, venture capitalist investors are taking rides and listening to startup pitches. You know, Uber being Uber.

On April 28, I received the following email with the subject line: “Tomorrow, your big idea could win $10,000.”


I don’t have any ideas packed away for a startup, but I found the partnership of Uber with Philly Tech Week to be fascinating. I clicked through on the “I’ve Got An Idea” call-to-action button, which took me to the Uber Newsroom, and provided the following details for how #uberpitch was going to work on Friday in Philadelphia:

Better yet, the VC folks riding around for #uberpitch were all active on Twitter, sharing photos and snippets of what was being pitched.

Excellent #UberPITCH from Tushar of Drexel and his co. AutoGradr – he was pinging Uber every 2 minutes since 11AM. pic.twitter.com/MB57OIJYNT

— Chris Fralic (@chrisfralic) April 29, 2016

Getting a demo of https://t.co/CnbzHUnF0S, Alex is a Penn Junior and sold her car to start the company. #UberPITCH pic.twitter.com/k9wDKrBhIR

— Chris Fralic (@chrisfralic) April 29, 2016

Just had an #uberpitch from a guy who is running in the @pennrelays later today #workhardrunfast

— Brett Topche (@BrettTopche) April 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/Uber_Philly/status/726139217504550915

I’m curious to see who delivered the winning pitch, but moreso, I love seeing such a creative take on pitching a startup. Sure, we have Shark Tank, but for anyone who knows Philly, we’re a city with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

I’ve watched friends raise up companies from their apartments, gradually growing them into rented offices and creative careers (I’m looking at you Cipher Prime). I’ve also watched friends put every ounce of effort into a dream, to only then see it fade when it didn’t or couldn’t take off. And we’re a city who loves to love Uber.

So for Uber to select Philly as one of the #uberpitch cities was not only a great partnership idea, but another way to show that the car company differentiates itself from your typical car service.

Much like people who found a startup, Uber doesn’t want to be categorized as just one thing. It’s a company that differentiates itself from the competition, sometimes goes out on a limb to be fun and funky, and is 100 percent the kind of company every marketer can learn something from, and should pay attention to. (And, yeah, I dig its email creative, too!)

Author: Melissa Ward

Melissa Ward is the managing editor for Target Marketing, and she has opinions! More importantly, she's a nerd for great copy and design, a disciple of authenticity, and really loves it when marketers get it right. View all posts by Melissa Ward