Regular Springwise readers may remember our article from 2010 about Snakes and Lattes, a themed café in Canada stocked with 1,500 board games. Taking the idea of a game themed eatery to the next level, Capcom, the Japanese video games developer, recently launched the Capcom Bar in Tokyo complete with in-house game kiosks and game-inspired dishes.

Situated on the first floor of the Pasela Resort in Shinjuku, the Capcom Bar’s playful menu features a range of dishes inspired by the company’s famous releases. On offer is a meat dish recreating the stamina-boosting drumstick from the game Monster Hunter, black-and-white seafood pasta reminiscent of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and a Resident Evil-inspired ‘brain cake’. Keiji Maeda, of action title Sengoku Basara, now has a floral octopus carpaccio recipe in his honor, joining the many other characters on the bar’s colorful food and drinks menu. Even popular cocktails have had a makeover, re-imagined as vaccines with a syringe replacing the traditional umbrella. The restaurant has already opened and Capcom hopes to entice games fans with prices per dish of around JPY 680. Alongside the gaming kiosks already in place, future plans include a merchandise stall and in-house events — from live shows and talks to competitions — to engage diners.

While themed restaurants are nothing new, the Capcom Bar is an interesting example of a company expanding tangentially from their usual line of work. Plenty of inspiration here for publishers in other sectors.

Website: www.paselabo.tv/capcombar
Contact: info@capcom.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

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The march of the subscription services continues! The virtual ink had barely dried on our story about UK-based Trinkets when we came across Kopi, a like-minded company whose focus is single-estate coffees from around the world.

Also based in the UK, Kopi sends subscribers a different gourmet coffee each month, hand-picked by a team of experts that includes some of Europe’s most respected green bean coffee traders, the company says. Roasting is done just days before delivery by a specially selected UK-based boutique roaster, and beans are available either whole or ground. Either way, each monthly delivery consists of 250g of gourmet single-estate coffee in a letterbox-sized package with a guide to the coffee’s background and highlights. Pricing ranges from GBP 9 per month to GBP 84 per year.

Similar in many ways to the charitably minded Project7, Kopi promises a new world of convenience for gourmet coffee lovers. Currently, however, it serves only the UK; one to partner with or emulate in other parts of the world?

Website: www.kopi.co.uk
Contact: hello@kopi.co.uk

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Facebook credits are a virtual currency that can be purchased with a credit or debit card to buy virtual goods in games and apps on the Facebook platform. However, never before have they been earned through purchasing goods offline. That is until Plink — a credits-based loyalty program that rewards Facebook users for dining at chain restaurants.

Launched last month, Plink was created to help restaurants and offline retailers reach and motive their customers online. To start using the program, consumers log in via their Facebook account, register the debit or credit they use when eating out and select the restaurants and shops they visit most. Plink then rewards diners with credits for each transaction made at one of those participating stores. Designed with ease of use in mind, no paper coupons or staff training are required. Credits can be used to buy music downloads, movies and TV episodes, as well as virtual goods in Facebook games. The program is free for consumers to join and Plink receive a payment from their partners — such as Quiznos, Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Donuts — each time a registered card is used in their restaurant or shop. Consumers can choose from more than 25,000 participating venues across the US.

The Plink platform taps into the potential of 800 million Facebook users, rewarding them for their offline purchases and motivating loyal behaviour. With 50 percent of purchases still made offline, inspiration here to improve your customer rewards scheme?

Website: www.plink.com
Contact: www.plink.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.contactUs

Spotted by: Raymond Neo

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According to In Defense of Animals, approximately 5 million family pets go missing each year. No wonder, then, that a pet “locker” has popped up outside a Norwegian grocery store, offering dog owners a way to keep their canine companions safe and dry while they get their shopping done.

Spotted by Swedish designer Henrick Eriksson recently outside an Oslo grocery store, the Hundehiet (translated roughly from Norwegian as “dog burrow”) gives consumers a safe, lockable place in which to keep their dog while they shop. Pricing, according to Eriksson, is NOK 10.

How the Hundehiet units are kept clean and disease-free isn’t entirely clear, and a search for other details about the shelters — including who operates them or how they’re kept cool in summertime, for example — was fruitless. Nonetheless, it’s an intriguing premise, particularly as pet theft becomes an increasingly common problem. One for inspiration!

Website: www.henricks-tankegangar.com/2012/01/hundforvaring-pa-shoppingturen.html

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

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It’s become increasingly common for restaurants to build and offer custom, branded mobile apps that let patrons place orders by phone, but it’s still up to consumers to go to the bother of downloading and installing them. Enter Paperlinks, a Los Angeles firm that has created a service that lets restaurants embed their takeout menus with QR codes for quick and seamless mobile ordering.

Using Paperlinks’ new Order Takeout feature, restaurants can quickly develop mobile-optimized menus which can be accessed by scanning a QR code located on the printed menu, poster, or other restaurant signage. Paperlinks offers a free iPhone app for scanning (an Android version is coming soon), but other QR code scanning services can be used as well. Either way, scanning that code gives customers instant access to the restaurant’s mobile-friendly, interactive menu. From the mobile landing page, which can also be reached via text message, the customer can find daily specials, place orders, request substitutions and pay via Paperlinks’ checkout cart, including tips. Orders are then sent directly to the participating restaurant via email or fax. Paperlinks also offers a variety of customizable features, from designer QR codes to lead-generation tools, that restaurants can incorporate into their menus and other printed items. Business pricing with full analytics begins at USD 24.95 per month.

Restaurateurs around the globe: time to make your takeout menu work harder for you?

Website: www.paperlinks.com
Contact: inquiries@paperlinks.com

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In the same way consumers can use Keepio to list and sell items through Facebook, they can now use StuffPal to share their goods. Specifically, the new Facebook app from Los Angeles-based Loconuts is designed to facilitate the sharing of books, DVDs and video games among friends.

Users of the app — currently still in Beta — begin by signing in through Facebook and building a personal media library of any items they’re willing to lend to friends, including textbooks, music, DVDs and video games. Friends can then view each other’s inventories for items they might like to use. If they see something they like, the friends meet up in person for delivery; a tracking system within the app helps users stay on top of who has what and when it’s due to be returned, according to a recent post on Moms Going Green. The video below outlines StuffPal’s premise in more detail:

In today’s tough economic climate, sharing initiatives such as this one are always going to be popular with consumers, and tapping into a pre-existing social network seems a logical step for a service that relies on its users knowing each other. How can your brand help transumers avoid the bonds — and expense — of ownership?

Website: www.stuffpal.com
Contact: info@stuffpal.com

Spotted by: Murray Orange

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No end in sight to the monthly subscription services! Hard on the heels of our recent stories about artisan breads, eco-minded products and care packages for new parents delivered to the door each month comes word of yet another new initiative. The product category this time? UK-based Trinkets offers women a way to get tampons delivered on a monthly basis direct to the door.

Consumers begin by browsing Trinkets’ selection of tampon styles, which covers a range absorbencies and varieties both with and without applicators. They also indicate whether they want to have their tampons delivered every three, four or five weeks. Then, on the selected schedule, Trinkets will ship a letterbox-sized box of tampons direct to the consumer’s door. Trinkets’ tampons are made from chlorine-free, hypoallergenic cotton and come with a discreet, zip-lock carrying case. Pricing starts at GBP 3.45 per box of 16 regular or super tampons.

If daily necessities such as lip balms and razor blades lend themselves to a subscription model, it stands to reason that women’s monthly needs could benefit from a similar approach as well. Trinkets, however, delivers only within the UK; one to partner with or emulate in other parts of the world?

Website: www.trinketwomen.com
Contact: contactus@trinketwomen.com

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Jesse Potash is the founder of PUBSLUSH Press, a publisher that lets readers decide which books get published and donates a book to a child in need for every one sold. Jesse comes from a financial services background but has worked across a wide array of industries including publishing, fashion, and advertising. Jesse also serves on the board of directors for the PUBSLUSH Foundation, which supports children’s literacy initiatives worldwide.

When on the PUBSLUSH website, book fans can pledge either USD 10, 20, 100 or 500 to fund their preferred stories, having read a sample extract first. If a book gains a thousand or more supporters it will be published, and those who pledged money are sent electronic, printed or signed editions, or an edition with a dedication in the front, depending on the value of their pledge. The writers, meanwhile, receive higher royalties than in legacy publishing and retain copyright for their work.

1. Where did the idea for PUBSLUSH come from?

JK Rowling’s Harvard commencement speech in 2008. I had always admired her, and when I learned of her trials and tribulations in the publishing world, I felt appalled and inspired to impact a clearly inadequate talent discovery process. The timing was ideal because of the industry’s evolutionary state, and I imagined (as someone with limited publishing experience) that the system could benefit from an unbiased perspective. The concept came full circle when I introduced my experience with human rights activism, and committed to aiding children’s literacy initiatives through a one for one book donation program.

2. With authors around the world achieving success through self-publishing, is PUBSLUSH relying on its non-profit activities to attract writers as well as readers?

While self publishing is fantastic and many self published authors have found success, that number is still quite low. Self publishing has many, many issues simply because there is no quality control, and the content is often poorly curated, if at all (meaning edited, marketed, etc.). The role of the publisher is changing but the need for publishers that fulfill this new role has never been greater.

Having a publisher used to be for access, exclusivity, credibility, etc. Moving forward, I believe having a (successful) publisher will be for support and guidance. Publishing is still a very complex landscape, and in my experience, authors are often unable or unwilling to navigate it alone. At PUBSLUSH, we work for the author, not the other way around.

PUBSLUSH’s nonprofit activities are at the core of the concept and absolutely attract Slushers to become involved in our publishing revolution. Our community of writers and readers is punctuated by a love of reading and social responsibility. We’ve created a new opportunity for people to be directly involved in the publishing process, and have a vested interest in changing the lives of children through literature. We think of ourselves as a global book club with a cause, by the people, for the people.

3. Can you describe a typical working day?

Um, not really! But if I had to, it might go something like this: review daily/weekly to do list (constantly reprioritize); follow up emails/calls; READ (mediabistro, Publisher’s Lunch, Gawker, etc.); breakfast meeting with our community or marketing director; call with developer; more meetings (partnership development, industry specific, event planning, media, PUBSLUSH team, legal/financial); READ (The New Inquiry, NYT, etc.); business development power (2) hour; review user engagement and outreach strategies, evaluate development pipeline; networking or author recruitment event; READ (manuscripts on the site, personal).

4. How do you unwind or relax when you’re not working on PUBSLUSH?

PUBSLUSH literally consumes my entire life, but I do force myself to find some balance. Right now my distractions include training to be a boxer, yoga, learning Spanish by watching Sex and the City in Spanish, traveling as much as possible, and playing piano. I love learning new skills and spending time with friends. You know, the usual.

5. What’s the secret ingredient to success as an entrepreneur?

A dash of delusion. Just enough so that your old reality doesn’t stifle you from imagining and achieving the new reality you’re trying to create.

Or a regular yoga practice. I can’t decide.

6. What drove you crazy when building your business?

Having to work around others’ schedules. I’m an extremely impatient person (well actually, I’ve gotten MUCH better) and as I’m sure any entrepreneur would agree, when you have an idea for a company and decide to go for it, it’s pretty much a race against time and the only thing you can think about. I was always frustrated because everything wasn’t happening fast enough. I felt like I was in a perpetual state of waiting. Waiting for someone else to make my vision real. There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless.

Looking back, I was kind of a psycho at points but it still does baffle me how long it takes people to accomplish certain things. And I live in NY where supposedly people are more efficient than other places. I still semi have this problem because I’m always going to want everything done yesterday, but I’ve learned to mitigate it greatly, particularly by only working with amazing, committed people. But that is a luxury I didn’t always have.

7. What motivates you to keep going?

I’m motivated by the children I’ve met, and the children I will meet, around the world, who are thirsty for knowledge and laugh so loud (literally) in the face of adversity. Also, I’m so incredibly inspired by how talented people are. Whether it be a brilliant line from a TV script, a soccer ball that captures energy (sOccket), a photograph that redefines a common perspective, a book that changes the world, a computer that is almost weightless, or a nonprofit that crowdsources microfinance. The list goes on, and I’m amazed by it everyday.

8. If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

Nothing. Even the mistakes I did make (and believe me, there were many), have positioned me in a much more perceptive place. Oh except I maybe wouldn’t have planned a red carpet launch benefit to coincide with the launch of the business. I’m still speechless that even happened.

9. Where do you see your business in five years, and how will you get there?

Having reinvigorated the publishing process to be more democratic and philanthropic. We are aligning ourselves with a progressive new view of what it means to be a publisher in the 21st century: to facilitate the discovery, nurture, and distribution of quality content (in our case, as determined by readers). I hope we will become a global brand of literature recognized by our commitment to change the lives of aspiring writers and aspiring readers.

We will expand to support emerging publishing technologies and offer a well rounded gamut of services. We will also likely embrace additional content mediums beyond books. While in beta, we are being extremely diligent in our outreach to literary tastemakers to maintain integrity. As our platform scales to a wider audience, we will see the addition of enhanced functionality to engage our Slushers and build a more robust, interactive community. I think the only way we’ll get there is by staying committed to our cause and showing people that this model really does work, that anyone can be involved and make a difference, and that this isn’t a fad; we’re genuinely passionate about what we do.

10. If you weren’t working on PUBSLUSH, what would you be doing?

Hmmm.. I don’t even know where to begin. Getting my pilot’s license, furthering the conversation around intellectual human rights, living in Buenos Aires and Cape Town and everywhere, training to be a yoga instructor, working for Worldreader, learning how to make films…

11. Tell Springwise a secret…

I’m obsessed with Mariah Carey. I think she’s the greatest vocalist of all time and the definition of raw talent, perseverance, versatility, and ability.

12. Any final words for aspiring entrepreneurs?

I have nothing profound to say. Though a sentiment that always stuck with me and has helped me greatly, is “be your own rock.” Other than that, I’d say just talk to everyone and read everything, but take it all at face value. If you start to over-process, you’ll explode.

Thanks Jesse!

You can read more about PUBSLUSH in our article here, or visit the PUBSLUSH website here.

We’ve already seen wristband devices designed to motivate kids into physical activity, but what makes MOVband different is that it is available to schools through a loan program, which could encourage a far wider uptake of the device.

MOVband was created by a teacher and fitness instructor in response to rising child obesity in the US and budget cuts in schools that have caused a decrease in physical education. It was designed to be simple, stylish and accessible, ensuring kids will want to wear them and can use them easily. The black band — priced at USD 19.99 — displays the number of steps made by the wearer and comes with a range of colored accessory bands — USD 4.99 each — that wearers can “earn” once they achieve certain mileage. In this way, the device aims to promote exercise through friendly competition between individuals and groups. For schools with minimal budgets, MOVband will initially loan the wristbands for a fundraiser challenge, then take payment from the money raised. The video below explains MOVband in more detail:

Statistics show that child obesity figures in the US have trebled since 1980, and also that more active children perform better academically. Can you think of more ways to inspire children to stay active?

Website: www.movband.com
Contact: via website

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There seems to be no stopping the design-your-own innovations! Hard on the heels of our story last month about Whisky Blender’s design-your-own whisky blends comes word of yet another example. The focus this time? Chocolate — customizable three ways thanks to French designer Elsa Lambinet’s Sweet Play.

We’ve actually already seen customizable chocolate bars with the Chocri effort we covered back in 2008, but Sweet Play differs in that it focuses on individual, bite-sized chocolates personalized through a modular approach. Specifically, the effort allows for customization via three elements: the type of chocolate (dark, milk or white); the inner filling, such as nougat or caramel; and the topping, such as fruit, nuts or jelly. Created through a partnership with Swiss chocolate maker Blondel, Lambinet’s Sweet Play is the result of a diploma project for Swiss ECAL last year. The video below illustrates the premise:

Lambinet currently seeks a chocolate maker for ongoing participation in the effort, according to a recent post in the comments following her video. One to get involved in?

Website: www.lambinetelsa.com/#!portfolio/vstc3=sweet-play
Contact: lambinetelsa@gmail.com

Spotted by: Dietfried Globocnik

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