Plug-In-Pods: Shipping Containers for Social Good
Green Manufacturing and Modular Affordable Chic Housing, Small Business and Community Spaces
Project Description
So Where Are We?
Since starting the company in 2017 we've raised $250k! I recently won a grant through Visa and was just accepted into the Dartmouth Tuck Business School's Diversity Business Program Fall 2020. I was just featured in Inc Magazine! Our medPod (shipping container medical clinic) was featured in The Call to Unite, a 24-hr global livestream event hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Tim Shriver.
Our team is currently crowdfunding and raising our next Seed round as we are ready to scale globally.
Funding will allow us to acquire and pilot a neighborhood manufacturing space so that we can design, build and deploy our Plug-In-Pods. Our Pods, an innovative modular housing technology, serve as 'on-demand' permanent or pop-up affordable housing, entrepreneurial and community spaces (medPods).
We're currently building each of our Pod projects here in Atlanta on-site. Working with city permitting and weather our current construction is a lengthy process. But with a manufacturing off-site facility we can build at least 30 Pods (housing, clinics, etc.) in less than a month and ship them globally!
I realized that it's not enough to hire local talent to build our Pods, we have to also provide the infrastructure to build the tools (Pods) that marginalized communities need for equitable growth. That is why our business model is a 3-pronged approach:
- Develop + manage 'factories-in-a-box' (our off-site manufacturing facility)
- Design + build + deploy our Pods
- Franchise the micro factories in marginalized communities across the globe
Thanks for supporting us through this project. With the rise in homelessness, lack of medical care and small business closures, we believe in what we're doing and know our solutions are needed and highly scalable.
*We hire female and minority subcontractors, refugee tradeswomen and tradesmen and LGBTQ-owned small businesses. Together our team has over 30 years experience in landscape architecture, city planning, real estate finance, asset management, project management, construction and community engagement.
Plug-In-Pods.
Simplifying construction and design with sustainability in mind.
One of our residential Pod projects (currently under construction in Atlanta, GA):
Plug-In-Pods employ recycling, manufacturing and industrial design as an equitable community development strategy that provides affordable and adaptive spaces for all.
We're re-building community through sustainable products.*
We're rewriting the construction industry.*
We're re-imagining affordable housing as a rapid industrial manufacturing process.*
The potential global impact for rapidly built affordable living and work spaces is huge, especially as our urban centers grow. We intend to disrupt the $400 billion construction industry by the materials we use, how we recycle them and how we deliver.
One of our commercial Pod projects (currently under construction in Serenbe, Atlanta, GA)
One of our medPods ('on-demand' medical and wellness clinic)
We partnered with Dr. April Spencer, an Atlanta breast oncologist. The medPod provides wifi capabilities for physician-patient telemedicine.
We do this to strengthen communities, stabilize neighborhoods and transform communities into inspiring places for all.
*Uses for our Pods include:
- Housing (Single Moms/Dads, Homeless, Veterans, Seniors, Millennials, Teachers, Doctors, Nurses, etc.)
- Small Businesses (Startups, Diner, Coffee Shops, Co-working, Retail, Bookstores, Accountant Offices, etc.)
- Clinics (Mobile Oncology Units, OBGYN, Urgent Care, Cardiology Clinics, Pediatrics, etc.)
- Accessory Units (Baby Nurseries, Assisted Living, Mobile Gym, etc.)
- Urban Farming (Mobile Farmer's Markets)
- Classrooms/Computer Labs (Youth Robotics, STEM Labs, etc.)
- ...and more
Images taken by my team or used with permission.
*Special thanks to iFundWomen, family, friends and supporters for feedback and helping me develop this campaign*
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Plug-In-Pods FAQS
What is the size of these pods?
Through basic application and customization container buildings spread a wide range from 320sf (minimum) and larger. Think of a 1-bedroom studio apartment to a 4,000sf single family home; for the purposes of this campaign our focus is 320sf-640sf.
Why shipping containers?
Shipping containers are mobile and sturdy. They’re flexible and adaptive to site constraints. They’re great to upcycle and lead to local manufacturing jobs. Their basic structure allows for quicker repurposing, less waste and easy quality control.
What about permits?
Localities differ. Certifications to upfit a container into a pod and pass local inspections is no more challenging than constructing a house or commercial space. Zoning requirements are also critical component in our engagement process with local government officials.
Why IFundWomen as funding platform?
I’m a woman-owned business and find this platform to be empathetic to the needs of women entrepreneurs by providing coaching, access to networks and a user-friendly site. It also provides my team the opportunity to fund and promote other women businesses.
Is this the only funding you’re raising?
No. I’m continuously applying for grants, fellowships and searching networks in the impact investing space, corporate giving, brand investing, private donors and philanthropic institutions.
I’ve backed this campaign-now what? How can I become more involved?
You get cool rewards. HUGE THANK YOU for supporting the campaign. I do need you to tweet, call, write articles and annoy your friends, family, social media followers and colleagues my campaign link so they too can donate. I have included hashtags on the main page. So please spread the word!
A big sincere and digital THANK YOU! Every $$$ counts!
Your very own badge and digital THANK YOU
Your very own badge, a digital THANK YOU, bumper sticker with campaign logo and social media mention to let everyone know how COOL you are!
IAB package PLUS a picture of our construction crew holding a banner in your honor!
IAB package plus a mug with logo to enjoy your favorite latte, coffee or herbal tea. If you were here I'd take you out for coffee and personally thank you!
Learn about the AMAZING women who helped make New York the awesome place it is and how they opened doors for women like me. You'll receive an autographed copy of The Women Who Made New York by my buddy and author Julie Scelfo!
Limited reward WYMW package PLUS tote bag, personalized journal, Tshirt, mug for your cup o' Nona and a special Thank You postcard! For supporters in NYC you'll receive a special VISIT from Julie Scelfo-author of The Women Who Made New York! Only 12 rewards available!
Only two available! You were born to rock! To help you reach stardom you'll receive an hour branding consultation from my buddy Meredith Fineman of FinePoint Co., logo and visualizing consultation from my pal Jaymes Carter of Imagicept Design, Builders Book Club and IAB THANK YOU packages!
It takes a village. Limited reward for our YOUNG builders includes a LITTLE BITS invention set, 2 IAB badges, 2 tote bags, THANK YOU postcard, 2 journals, 2 bumper stickers, social media mention and 2 limited edition
Because we LOVE YOU and the world should know it, we will wrap your name around the entire shipping container home! Talk about awesome marketing for your company! You'll also receive 2 IAB packages, part o' the team picture, website mention, 2 Builder Book Club and Girl Power Startup Packages! Only 2 rewards available!!!
YOU'RE AMAZING and covered in magic dust! Your HUGE contribution will build an affordable home for a family in need or an affordable business space for a budding entrepreneur in a low-wealth neighborhood. You'll receive a special invite to join me at the ribbon cutting, meet the family/entrepreneur and lots of HUGS! All the above rewards are included! Only 2 available!!!
All of The Above
Rewards
A big sincere and digital THANK YOU! Every $$$ counts!
Your very own badge and digital THANK YOU
Your very own badge, a digital THANK YOU, bumper sticker with campaign logo and social media mention to let everyone know how COOL you are!
IAB package PLUS a picture of our construction crew holding a banner in your honor!
IAB package plus a mug with logo to enjoy your favorite latte, coffee or herbal tea. If you were here I'd take you out for coffee and personally thank you!
Learn about the AMAZING women who helped make New York the awesome place it is and how they opened doors for women like me. You'll receive an autographed copy of The Women Who Made New York by my buddy and author Julie Scelfo!
Limited reward WYMW package PLUS tote bag, personalized journal, Tshirt, mug for your cup o' Nona and a special Thank You postcard! For supporters in NYC you'll receive a special VISIT from Julie Scelfo-author of The Women Who Made New York! Only 12 rewards available!
Only two available! You were born to rock! To help you reach stardom you'll receive an hour branding consultation from my buddy Meredith Fineman of FinePoint Co., logo and visualizing consultation from my pal Jaymes Carter of Imagicept Design, Builders Book Club and IAB THANK YOU packages!
It takes a village. Limited reward for our YOUNG builders includes a LITTLE BITS invention set, 2 IAB badges, 2 tote bags, THANK YOU postcard, 2 journals, 2 bumper stickers, social media mention and 2 limited edition
Because we LOVE YOU and the world should know it, we will wrap your name around the entire shipping container home! Talk about awesome marketing for your company! You'll also receive 2 IAB packages, part o' the team picture, website mention, 2 Builder Book Club and Girl Power Startup Packages! Only 2 rewards available!!!
YOU'RE AMAZING and covered in magic dust! Your HUGE contribution will build an affordable home for a family in need or an affordable business space for a budding entrepreneur in a low-wealth neighborhood. You'll receive a special invite to join me at the ribbon cutting, meet the family/entrepreneur and lots of HUGS! All the above rewards are included! Only 2 available!!!
All of The Above