Core Problem #1: Let's Get Serious
Traditional trade businesses are paralyzed by administrative lag. TradeSpark collapses the "Administrative Wait" from 8 days down to 31 minutes, allowing the Pro "Home Visit" to be the only time-intensive non-billable activity. This step is after the customer is fully qualified based on a one-time $50 fee that is rolled into the project cost if selected. A true Win-Win for both Pro's and Owners eager to shorten the Lead-to-Contract cycle.
Eliminating "Tyre Kickers" and "Free Quote Fatigue" through instant AI validation.
Traditional Manual Cycle (Units: Days)
TradeSpark AI-Native Cycle (Units: Minutes)
* Plus standard 1-day qualified Home Visit activity
The Solution: "Speed-to-Lead" Loop
Core Problem #2: FOMU*
Analysis paralysis stalls the home improvement market. Homeowners often abandon projects due to a lack of technical confidence or fear of hidden costs.
of projects never start due to "skill-gap anxiety" & cost uncertainty.
* Fear of Messing Up
💡 The DIY Confidence Engine
Instant DIY Roadmaps
Step-by-step instructions generated by our SLM for your specific project.
Curated Tutorials
AI-matched video content for every technical milestone.
Easy Pro-Matching
Project getting difficult? One tap connects you to a matched local Pro.
Core Problem #3: Homes Need a Memory
The analog way of storing fragmented home data is over. Blueprints, paint codes, and filter sizes are naturally lost over time, creating friction for every future project.
📓 Address Home Record (AHR)
Permanent Vault
Blueprints and spec history tied to the unique address.
Data Handoff
Gives Pros accurate data for future projects instantly—no more guessing.
One-Tap Supply
Re-buy mulch, filters, or paint from past verified orders.
The Revenue Model: SaaS + Affiliate Engine
| User Type | Subscription | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|
| Small Pro | $20 / mo | 3-8% Comm. |
| Mid-Size Pro | $100/mo + $10/seat | Benchmark Split |
| Home Owner | $3.99/mo (AHR) | 5% of Spend |
Competitive Comparison: The TradeSpark Edge
| Portal / Platform | Pricing Model | Est. Monthly Cost | AI Auto-Bids | Home Memory (AHR) | Lead Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TradeSpark AI | SaaS Floor + Affiliate | $20 | ✅ | ✅ | 0% |
| Houzz Pro | Tiered SaaS | $100 - $400 | ❌ | ❌ | Fixed |
| Thumbtack | Pay-per-Lead | $200 - $800+ | ❌ | ❌ | Aggressive |
| Angie (HomeAdvisor) | Annual + Lead Fees | $300 - $1,000+ | ❌ | ❌ | High |
MVP Progress: Feature Realization
Hover to Zoom into the Production Environment.
1. Auto Bids
Addresses Core Problem #1. Instant bidding to qualify leads without site visits, allowing Pros to commit faster.
2. Project Roadmap
Combats Core Problem #2 (FOMU) by providing Owners visual confidence through AI-generated milestone sequences.
3. Properties (AHR)
Solves Core Problem #3 (Memory). A digital vault for home specs and history tied to the unique address.
4. Pro-to-Owner Comms
Reduces Marketplace Friction by centralizing communication, ensuring all technical dialogue and scope changes are documented.
5. Curated Material Lists
AI identifies exact project components for one-click ordering, reducing logistical errors for Pros and DIYers.
6. Project Tracker
Ensures Accountability through real-time milestone verification, providing a transparent record of finish quality for homeowners and Pros.
Go To Market
Charlotte Rollout (Q2-3)
Establish Product-Market Fit with 50 high-touch Pro partners before scaling the "Queen City" model.
Raleigh Expansion (Q3-4)
Activating the Research Triangle market with native app scanning features in Q3.
Pro Success Champion
Dedicated territory leads executing the Ground Game: onboarding Pros at supply houses, managing local user feedback loops, and driving real-world SLM data iteration to reflect accurate Pro usage trends and requirements.
Test Market Breakdown (qty 50)
Pre-Seed Deployment ($500k)
12-Month Financial Roadmap
Investor outlook with 50/50 SV-Standard Burn and $2.0M Seed Raise.
AARPU Details: Calculation & Methodology
1. Homeowner AARPU
Month 1 ($5): Primarily free tier users with minimal premium conversion.
Month 12 ($65): AHR storage subscription ($40/yr) + 5% commission on maintenance spend.
2. Small Pro AARPU
Month 1 ($240): Pure flat-rate SaaS ($20/mo).
Month 12 ($740): $240 SaaS floor + $500 affiliate commission on $10k annual material volume.
3. Mid-Size Pro AARPU
Month 1 ($1,300): Base license + initial user seats.
Month 12 ($4,800): $2,400 SaaS revenue + $2,400 retained affiliate revenue after splits.
Financial Roadmap & 50/50 Burn Detail
| Department / Role | Market Val. | 50% Cash (Ann) | Monthly Outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINEERING CORE | |||
| Lead Backend / Lead Frontend | $232,800 | $116,400 | $9,700 |
| Jr. Backend / Jr. Frontend / DBA | $288,000 | $144,000 | $12,000 |
| MOBILE & SPECIALIZED AI | |||
| Lead iOS / Lead Android | $264,000 | $132,000 | $11,000 |
| Jr. iOS / Jr. Android | $168,000 | $84,000 | $7,000 |
| Lead SLM / Lead UX Designer | $240,000 | $120,000 | $10,000 |
| GTM & INFRASTRUCTURE | |||
| Head of Growth / Product / Sales | $360,000 | $180,000 | $15,000 |
| Pro Success Champions (Reg.) | $144,000 | $72,000 | $6,000 |
| TOTAL MONTHLY ROADMAP BURN BASELINE | $85,000 | ||
ESOP: SV-Standard Tiered Equity
| Tier / Role Group | Grant Range | Alloc. Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Engineering & SLM Leads | 0.90% – 1.25% | 3.50% |
| Tier 2: Platform & Growth Leads | 0.50% – 0.75% | 2.50% |
| Tier 3: Intermediate & Specialists | 0.25% – 0.40% | 1.50% |
| Tier 4: Junior & Regional Champs | 0.10% – 0.25% | 1.50% |
| Future Hires / Reserve Buffer | -- | 6.00% |
| TOTAL AUTHORIZED POOL | 15.00% | |
Equity Equalizer Rationale
Early core hires (the "Pre-Seed 18") accept a 50% salary sacrifice in exchange for founder-tier equity grants. At a $10M Seed valuation, a 1.0% grant carries $100k in spot value, intended as a 35x risk-multiplier upon Series B expansion.
Vesting Alignment
- • 4-Year Term: Standard institutional cliff-and-vest schedule.
- • Internal Strike: Nominal exercise cost for pre-seed hires.
Competition: Customer & Pro Sentiment
Negative Recurring Themes (Market Fatigue)
The "Ghost Lead" Tax
Pros are tired of being charged \$40–\$100 for leads that never answer. TradeSpark solves this via AI Auto-Bidding.
Administrative Extortion
SaaS platforms like Houzz charge \$300+/mo for simple portfolios. Pros want utility, not just a digital brochure.
Market Anecdotes: Seeking Disruption
"I spent \$400 on Thumbtack leads last week and 3 of them were fake. I need a tool that actually scopes the job before I pay." — Charlotte Contractor
"Angie's List has become a telemarketing engine. I just want to find a Pro who can see my house specs and give me a real number." — Ballantyne Homeowner