Rise Above the 30% Trap.
And finally take back what's yours.
We're NearRise. We're here to fix a broken system. This is our story, what we're building in public, and the conversation that's shaping our mission.
It Started With a Fee Too High.
As a former restaurant and food truck owner, I was sick of watching 30% of my revenue vaporize to delivery apps. Even 15% for a pickup order. It's an unsustainable model designed to squeeze small businesses.
I sold my businesses for personal reasons, but I couldn't let go of that frustration. I knew there had to be a better way.
The problem is bigger than just restaurants. Go into any local salon, barber shop, or mechanic. You'll see six different screens on the counter: one for booking, one for payments, one for DoorDash, one for a loyalty app. It's a confusing, expensive, and inefficient mess. Small businesses are being nickel and dimed by a dozen different platforms.
We Took It Public. The Response Was Loud.
We took our mission to Reddit, and our post blew up. The conversation was passionate, critical, and brutally honest. It proved we're working on a real problem. We're building this platform in public, and we want to be transparent. Here's what people are saying.
On Mission:
"I think this is brilliant and I would definitely support it... I'd be most motivated by... sticking it to the big, evil UBERs of the world."
On Need:
"Your friends' biggest complaints were that dd ue etc would put their restaurant on the app and not tell them... this is a great idea and puts control back in the owners AND customers hands!"
On the Rebrand:
"To be honest, 'Dyscovly' is impossible to spell. If you want this to go mainstream, you need a name that says exactly what you do."
On Competition:
"What's your unique selling proposition? ChowNow, GloriaFood, Blizzfull are already doing 0% commission."
On The Pitch:
"Your customer is not the customer. Your customer is the business. When you begin your pitch with 'hub that lets you discover' I think you've lost a lot of sales, immediately."
The Real Mission, Crystal Clear.
That feedback is a gift. It forced us to be crystal clear. The critics are right: "0% commission" isn't a unique feature. It's just the starting price to get in the game. Here is our real mission and what makes us different.
An All-in-One Hub, Not Just Another App
Our goal is to replace the 6 screens on the counter. But the problem is bigger than just orders and bookings.
It's also the 7th screen for Mailchimp, the 8th for a separate CRM, and the 9th for a social media scheduler. Small businesses are being bled dry by a dozen different monthly subscriptions.
NearRise is the all-in-one solution. We're building one platform where a restaurant gets commission-free pickup, table booking, and a loyalty program... PLUS a full AI-powered Marketing Suite with a CRM, AI-powered email marketing, and social media posting, all for one flat $45/mo fee.
A barber gets an AI-powered booking calendar and that same powerful Marketing Suite for $25/mo.
This is our real mission. It's not just about one feature; it's about true integration. It's about giving owners one login, one bill, and one platform to run their entire business.
An AI Co-Pilot for Owners
We're not just 'using AI' to sound cool. We're solving a real problem. Our 'Generate with AI' button is a co-pilot for the owner who's a great chef but a 'terrible marketer.' It's a tool that writes their bio, their menu, and their service descriptions. It's about saving them time and making them look professional.
An AI Assistant for Customers
This is our solution to the "chicken-and-egg" problem. We're the only platform where you can find a barber and order food in the same place. Our AI assistant isn't just a search bar; it's a concierge. You can ask, 'Book me a 5-star barber with Maria for Friday' or 'Find me a Haitian restaurant that's open late,' and it handles the transaction.
Why This Will Work
Delivery Apps Charge 15–30%
Businesses hate it. We're offering 0% commission. That's not a gimmick; it's a revolution.
Small Shops Are Drowning
In subscriptions. Mailchimp, scheduling apps, CRMs. We replace them all with one platform, one price.
AI Makes It Possible
Automated marketing that used to cost thousands is now accessible. AI levels the playing field for small businesses.
Customers Want Local
Not corporate platforms. They want to support their community, and we're giving them the tools to do it.
We Unify All Verticals
Your competition focuses on one industry. We connect restaurants, barbers, gyms, and more, all in one place.
Built for Community
This isn't venture capital chasing growth at all costs. This is about building something that actually helps people.
See It In Action
Real screenshots from our platform. This isn't vaporware; it's live and working.
Powerful Dashboard
Manage your entire business from one place. Orders, bookings, analytics, all integrated.
0% Commission Orders
Accept orders directly. No middleman. No fees. Just you and your customers.
AI-Powered Booking
Smart scheduling that works for restaurants, barbers, gyms, and any service business.
Marketing Suite
AI-powered email campaigns, social media posting, and CRM, all included in your subscription.
Who's Building This?
Built by a former restaurant owner who lived the problem.
This isn’t a startup experiment. It’s personal. I watched my restaurant get crushed by delivery fees. I saw talented owners struggle with tech they couldn't afford. I watched corporate platforms extract value while giving nothing back to the community.
NearRise is my answer. It's what I wished existed when we needed it most. And now we're building it in public, with feedback from real owners, for real businesses.
NearRise isn't built for Silicon Valley, it's built for the small business owner who keeps the community alive.
The NearRise Team
Built in Public
Every step of our journey, shared transparently. This is how we're building the cure.
Oct 2024
The Idea Sparked
Identified the problem: businesses drowning in fees and subscriptions
Nov 2024
MVP of Business Listings
First version launched, connecting local businesses with customers
Jan 2025
Booking Engine Live
Restaurants and service businesses can now accept reservations and appointments
Feb 2025
AI Marketing Suite
Launched AI-powered CRM, email marketing, and social media tools
Mar 2025
0% Commission Ordering
The game-changer: direct ordering with zero fees for businesses
Now
Reddit Launch & Community Feedback
Building in public, listening to you, and iterating fast
They Said Change the Name. So We Did.
We heard you. Our original name was hard to spell and didn't tell our story. The feedback was brutal but necessary.
You told us we needed a name that stood for something. A name that represented the local businesses we serve and the growth we promise.
Near (Local Discovery) + Rise (Business Growth).
We are NearRise. We kept the mission, but we upgraded the banner we fly under.
Join the Cure.
This platform is being built in public, for the community. Whether you're a customer who's tired of the system or an owner who's ready to take back control, you have a home here.
NearRise: Built for us, by us.
Side effects may include: higher profits, happier customers, and a healthier community.