Sport SHED
TYPE
Digital Product Design
ROLE
UX Designer & Product Strategist
DURATION
5 Weeks
ORGANIZATION
European Innovation Academy
A peer-to-peer marketplace app designed during a 5-week startup sprint in Porto, Portugal, connecting travelers with locals to rent sports equipment, reducing waste and supporting the local economy.
The Challenge
As part of the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal, our team was challenged to develop a startup concept and MVP in just 5 weeks. We identified a significant problem in the tourism and sports equipment rental market: travelers want to engage in local sports like surfing but face high rental costs and limited options, while locals often have unused equipment sitting idle.
Project Context
- 5-week intensive startup development program
- Collaboration with international students and mentors
- Focus on creating a viable business with real market potential
- Required deliverables: business model, MVP, and pitch deck
Presenting our concept at the European Innovation Academy in Porto
Problem Statement
We identified two key stakeholders with complementary problems that could be solved through a single platform:
The two sides of our problem: travelers need equipment, locals have unused gear
Travelers in Porto
Hero: Want to experience local sports like surfing
Villain: Complex, expensive rental process through traditional shops
- High rental costs from commercial shops
- Limited equipment options and availability
- Lack of local knowledge and recommendations
- Cumbersome booking and pickup processes
Locals with Equipment
Hero: Own sports equipment they don't use daily
Villain: Unused equipment sitting idle and depreciating
- Expensive equipment not being fully utilized
- No easy way to monetize their gear
- Storage space taken up by rarely used items
- Environmental impact of underutilized resources
Market Opportunity
Our research revealed a significant market opportunity in Porto, a popular destination for surf tourism with a strong local surf culture.
Market opportunity analysis for Porto's tourism and sports equipment rental market
Key Market Insights
- $5.9 million in overnight stays in Porto (2023)
- $289 million total revenue potential
- $72 million in marketing sales
- Surfing is primarily a local sport with strong community
- Growing tourism market with interest in authentic experiences
- Opportunity to support local economy while promoting sustainability
Our Solution: Sport SHED
We designed Sport SHED, a peer-to-peer marketplace app connecting travelers with locals for sports equipment rental. The platform enables locals to list their unused equipment and travelers to rent it directly, creating a win-win situation for both parties.
The Sport SHED platform: download the app, locals list equipment, travelers rent it
Interactive Prototype
Interactive prototype of the Sport SHED app created in Figma
Key Features
Equipment Listings
- Easy photo upload process
- Detailed description fields
- Flexible pricing options
- Availability calendar
In-App Messaging
- Real-time chat between users
- Group chat for surf meetups
- Location sharing
- Translation features
Map Integration
- Geolocation of available equipment
- Filtering by proximity
- Popular surf spots highlighted
- Directions to pickup locations
User Flow
We designed a streamlined user experience focusing on quick onboarding and easy equipment listing/rental processes:
- Download & Sign Up: Quick registration with social login options
- For Equipment Owners: Simple listing process with photo upload, description, and pricing
- For Travelers: Browse nearby equipment, filter by type/price, and request rentals
- Messaging: In-app communication to coordinate pickup/return
- Payment: Secure in-app payment processing with deposit options
- Reviews: Two-way review system to build trust in the community
In-App Communication
A critical feature of our app was the messaging system that facilitates connections between travelers and locals. We designed both direct messaging and group chat functionality to enable equipment rental coordination and community building.
The messaging interface design showing direct and group chat functionality
Direct Messaging
- Private conversations between renters and owners
- Equipment inquiry and negotiation features
- Pickup coordination and scheduling
- Payment confirmation notifications
- Read receipts and typing indicators
Group Chats
- "Surf Together" community groups
- Location-based activity meetups
- Skill level matching for better experiences
- Local tips and recommendations sharing
- Weather and condition updates
Business Model
We developed a sustainable business model based on commission fees and premium features, with clear market size projections.
Business model overview with market size analysis
Revenue Streams
- 10% commission on each rental transaction
- Premium subscription for frequent users
- Featured listings for equipment owners
- Insurance options for high-value equipment
Market Size
- TAM: 82 million potential users
- SAM: 4.1 million addressable market
- SOM: 82,000 transactions target
Freemium Model
- Free basic listings and rentals
- Premium features for power users
- Tiered subscription options
- Referral incentives for growth
Design Process
Our design process followed a rapid, iterative approach given the 5-week timeline of the European Innovation Academy program. We moved quickly from problem definition to prototyping while continuously gathering feedback.
Our structured approach to the 3-minute pitch presentation
Week 1: Problem Definition & Research
- Conducted interviews with 15+ travelers and 10+ local surfers
- Analyzed existing rental solutions and their limitations
- Defined user personas and journey maps
- Validated problem statement with mentors
Week 2-3: Ideation & Wireframing
- Conducted brainstorming sessions for solution concepts
- Created low-fidelity wireframes in Figma
- Mapped core user flows and interactions
- Tested wireframes with potential users
Week 4: UI Design & Prototyping
- Developed visual identity and brand guidelines
- Created high-fidelity UI designs in Figma
- Built interactive prototype for user testing
- Refined designs based on feedback
Week 5: Finalization & Pitch
- Finalized prototype and business model
- Prepared pitch deck and presentation
- Practiced 3-minute pitch following structured format
- Presented to investors and program mentors
Team & Collaboration
Our international team brought together diverse perspectives and skills to create Sport SHED during the European Innovation Academy program.
Our team at the European Innovation Academy in Porto
Team Structure & Roles
- UX/UI Designer: Led the design of the app interface and user experience
- Business Developer: Created the business model and market analysis
- Technical Lead: Managed prototype development and technical feasibility
- Marketing Strategist: Developed go-to-market strategy and user acquisition plan
We collaborated using Figma for design, Notion for project management, and daily stand-ups to maintain alignment during the intensive 5-week program.
Results & Learnings
The Sport SHED project was well-received at the European Innovation Academy, with positive feedback from mentors and potential investors. The experience provided valuable insights into rapid product development and startup creation.
Key Achievements
- Developed fully interactive prototype in 5 weeks
- Validated business model with industry mentors
- Created comprehensive go-to-market strategy
- Delivered successful pitch presentation
- Built network of potential partners in Porto
Key Learnings
- The importance of rapid prototyping and iteration
- How to validate assumptions quickly with minimal resources
- Techniques for designing with market viability in mind
- The value of cross-functional collaboration in product design
- How to adapt designs based on user feedback
Next Steps
While the European Innovation Academy program has concluded, the Sport SHED concept has potential for further development:
- Develop MVP with core functionality for initial market testing
- Seek seed funding to support development and launch
- Establish partnerships with local surf communities in Porto
- Expand concept to additional sports equipment categories
- Create ambassador program with local sports enthusiasts