Yesterday, Gardner Prescott Technology Ventures, LLC (GPTV) launched Nicely, their first startup venture. Nicely, founded by CEO Whitney Jones and based in Washington DC, was developed from the idea that we could all benefit from more random acts of kindness. The mobile-based app makes it easy to to be nice and recognize family, friends, and coworkers with locally produced gifts and treats from DC’s finest small businesses.
Jones offered this comment about the app:
“Since becoming Nicely’s CEO in October, I’ve made one fact very clear: Nicely has been created by DC, for DC. Our app connects Washingtonians who want to quickly recognize someone with a thoughtful, hand-crafted gift with small, local businesses that don’t have a physical storefront or the technology to reach them.”
In conjunction with the app launch, the team at Nicely has also created the #BeNice campaign to celebrate the holiday season. The #BeNice campaign reaffirms the company’s mission to encourage and spread kindness while also pledging to donate to a charity committed to the advancement of the Washington community.
Nicely will donate $1 from every purchase to Food and Friends, a DC charity whose mission is “to foster a community caring for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by preparing and delivering specialized meals and groceries in conjunction with nutrition counseling.” The CEO of GPTV, Peter Dodge, will match the contributions raised by Nicely’s #BeNice campaign.
“My greatest hope is to not only ensure that Nicely is a successful business, but that we make a positive impact on our community as well,” added Jones. “That’s why our company supports small, local businesses that don’t have physical storefronts or the technology to reach consumers – we can help these businesses and our community prosper. The #BeNice campaign is an important way to show D.C. that while we are a young company, we are committed to D.C.’s future.”