[manojranaweera]

What started as a project to rescue our tech startups when Covid 19 hit, we are looking at creating a Volunteer Market Place for tech startups.

Everyone's familiar with UpWork, Fiverr and Freelancer. Their business model is proven.

But what about a similar place where people give their time to help a bootstrapped tech startup?

Do you think this has legs?

We trialled with 20 tech startups and 100 volunteers. All startups are from the UK right now. 90% of volunteers are from UK as well, but there are few from the USA, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Keen to understand whether it's possible to build tech companies, especially pre-investment with employees, contractors and volunteers.

Thanks, Manoj

[DanBC]

> We trialled with 20 tech startups and 100 volunteers. All startups are from the UK right now. 90% of volunteers are from UK as well

I don't quite understand how this is legal. UK has national minimum wage. If people are working they need to be paid. People can volunteer if the company is a charity or community service company or non-profit, but otherwise they're workers and need to get at least minimum wage.

[manojranaweera]

These are not jobs. Have you never given your time free?

Do you know volunteers help many commercial organisations, from marshalling Formula 1 races to help in running exhibitions, etc?

[manojranaweera]

Volunteer in the UK is defined as someone not gaining financially as well as from a benefit in kind.

Share options and warrants fall under benefit in kind.