Notre Dame student startup raises $300k, launches on tri-campus // The Observer
ndsmcobserver.com
A group of three Notre Dame students have raised $300,000 for a startup aiming to compete with Uber and Lyft on college campuses. Racing to win market share, Desi founders — juniors Liam Redmond, Zach Brown and Rob Corrato — want to create a marketplace where college students who want rides can meet student drivers

Racing to win market share, Desi founders — juniors Liam Redmond, Zach Brown and Rob Corrato — want to create a marketplace where college students who want rides can meet student drivers who are willing to give them. The goal is to make rides safer and cheaper.

Desi is slated to launch on Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross campuses on Sept. 30. The app is now available for download. A school email address is required to create an account.

Unlike big name competitors, Desi restricts its platform to college students and generates revenue through driver subscription fees. Desi does not broker transactions like Lyft and Uber. Instead, drivers make 100% revenue from each ride and pay a $19.99 per month subscription fee.