1. Innovative design—Describe your new design, app, service, product, etc.

My app Nest is an LGBTQ+ messaging app that’s completely anonymous where you can be a part of a community, which will be called nests, based on either topics, sexuality, or gender. You can even build your own “nest” in the app. It is 18+ so you will have to verify your age and identity with a picture of your ID when you sign up to prevent minors from coming in.

1. Upgraded criteria—state your criteria and why you picked it. Why is it important to you & your community?

As someone in the queer community, it is truly difficult to friends who will accept you, let alone are also queer so I chose group dynamics. It is hard for adults, especially adults in the LBGTQ+ community, to make friends compared to teenagers who are surrounded by people their age. It caters to queer people that can’t come out for whatever reason, so the amenity makes them feel safe to say or do whatever they want. 

1. Supportive context—describe context or world/community that will support this

I feel as though the LBGTQ+ community will definitely support this as it is a safe space for them. 

1. Weigh Costs—Evaluate expected costs—materials. labor, etc–this is not a number or monetary figure, but rather a description of the expected costs to environment, people etc.

There needs to be a couple of moderators to moderate homophobic or harmful people from being in all nest communities. The ID verification will not only help with preventing minors from coming in, but if there is a harmful person that comes in, they can’t register again once banned since you can’t use your ID for another account.