Colombio

Colombio is a mobile app that aims to empower citizens by providing them with a platform to collaborate with journalists, delivering real-time multimedia news and fostering impactful community engagement. The app allows users to directly send textual information, photos, and videos to news media contacts, creating an exclusive delivery channel and fostering a two-way communication system for collaboration between citizens and journalists through a messaging platform. Through Colombio, citizens can work alongside journalists, assisting them in publishing the type of content they want to see in news media, enriching public information and enabling citizens to make a direct positive impact on their communities and society. News media companies benefit by engaging with their audience, leveraging a large network of citizen reporters, accessing instant multimedia content, and eyewitness information. The app functions through a simple process where citizens download the free app, complete with a directory of news media contacts, allowing them to send textual information or multimedia content directly to journalists by adding content and selecting the desired newsdesk(s). News media companies receive the information on their newsdesk email and can utilize an additional web service to manage gathered information and assign tasks to citizens, effectively turning them into on-site reporters. The app also includes a payment system that enables news media companies to pay for contributions or purchase photos/videos from contributors, including publication rights, as well as a rating system that allows news media companies to positively select contributors, ensuring access to more valuable sources. Founded in 2015, Colombio received a €75.00K Convertible Note investment from Eleven Ventures on 01 May 2015. The app's testing phase was launched in the Croatian market in March 2015. With its focus on mobile, platforms, and media, Colombio presents a unique opportunity for citizen journalism and community engagement.