MSU alums launch new social media app
Entrepreneurship, technology and innovation are on the rise at Mississippi State University. Recently, MSU alumni have launched a new event-based, social media website and app for iPhone and Android users.
YeHive is the result of the creativity of co-founders Brad Fuller and Gary Butler. Fuller, who is CEO and a 2004 agribusiness grad, partnered with Butler, chairman and CEO of Camgian Microsystems Corporation, to turn an idea into a marketable smartphone app.
“We actually came up with the idea while playing golf one day,” explained Fuller. “Gary and I both had ideas for a website, and we kind of merged them and decided to build it. We had the idea in May, started building it at the end of July, and launched it this month. That was a very short timeline, but luckily we were able to raise enough money to meet that development deadline.”
The app, which launched during Bulldog Bash on Nov. 2, allows users to post photos and videos to specific events created on the social media platform. Individuals “check-in” to an event, and share their experiences in a public forum. Comments are also logged on the event’s timeline.
“This is a new dynamic to social media, allowing you to only participate in events that you care about. Your life experience revolves around events from things as large as tailgating for a SEC football game to as small as a birthday party. Now you can create and interact with others around those events without having to be friends with this person or following another person,” he stated.
YeHive’s launch on Nov. 2 was the largest single-day social media debut outside of California’s Silicon Valley. Photos from users at Bulldog Bash, which can be viewed by clicking here, were displayed throughout the evening on the large video board near the stage.
MSU’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer is supporting companies like YeHive by promoting small business start-ups by university faculty, staff, students and alumni. Several companies, such as Camgian and YeHive, were taken from concept to reality through MSU’s help.
The MSU Alumni Association recently created a YeHive account to promote alumni events and activities around the nation. By sharing these experiences in an open marketplace, the association can connect individuals to activities on campus and chapter gatherings.
“It is important for the Alumni Association to stay on the cutting edge of social media, and we are excited to support our alumni by promoting their new app,” stated Dr. Jimmy Abraham, associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. “Our hope is to keep our alumni and friends engaged in our events and activities by showing them what is going on. We think this will be another successful method of connecting with our Bulldog family.”
Events created by an account are visible in the app and online. Anyone with an account can create an event for unlimited users to join and share the experience.
“We can’t thank MSU and Starkville enough for helping us with a successful start. In a few weeks, we will be rolling out a couple of new features, along with a new look. We are continuing to push forward and exploring ways to attract users,” Fuller stated.
The app can be downloaded for free in the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The Alumni Association will post photos from events on and off campus. YeHive users can contribute to the event album and join the fun.
For more on YeHive, please visit www.yehive.com.