Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. From original cocktail stylings to alternative modes of transportation, technological creativity knows no bounds. The same is true for the adult entertainment industry, and one new app is harnessing the power of on-demand service and instant gratification for the pleasure of its users.
Clover was developed by entrepreneurs who graduated college in the Greater Boston Area. Quite simply, it matches users with entertainers or, to put it bluntly, strippers.
"Yes. Clover is 100% meant for adult entertainment... Clover will do for adult entertainment what Uber did for local transportation," they told me in an email.
The founders, who wish to remain anonymous in hopes their app will receive a totally unbiased review from the community, zeroed in on adult entertainment because of its big bucks and potential for disruption. Their app works differently in that the entertainers are able to procure a bigger slice of the cash cow industry, estimated at more than $12 billion annually, rather than let the majority of it go to those behind the scenes, reaping the lion's share of the profits.
Here's how it works:
"All users are background checked, entertainers get paid a premium and get to keep virtually all of the profits [and] their funds are directly deposited into their account by the next day," continued the founders. "Locations are evaluated to ensure safety and they can report a user with one single tap."
It's important, though, that Clover be differentiated from certain aspects of the industry, like escort services. The Clover brass aren't pimps and they don't sell sexual services. It's completely legal, and simply acts as an on-demand entertainment service, almost like the Drizly of strippers.
Boston is one of the first cities in which they hope to launch Clover. But given the amount of scrutiny some apps, like Haystack for example, have faced from the City of Boston, I asked if they've been in any talks with Mayor Marty Walsh's administration.
If the unfolding Haystack drama is any indication, it looks as though Mayor Walsh, who's dedicated to making Boston the tech capital of the world, may take a few pages out of the Tom Menino playbook by personally ruling in on whether some new aspects introduced to the city are to be encouraged, tolerated or done away with.
But seeing as how Clover follows the trend of Uber, Drizly and other startups that simply offer a real-time service, it's more likely than not they'll avoid catching any municipal flack.
At this point Clover personnel have yet to engage in any discussions with City Hall but are hoping to fuel public support at a grassroots level. Certainly an endorsement from the Mayor's office would help Clover's cause, but right now the focus is on trying to assure people that Clover is about more than just lap dances and a lack of clothing.
"[People's] typical reactions to Clover are 'That's a great idea, love it, but the App Store won't accept it.' Or 'Innovative, but how can you condone that kind of activity?'," they added. "What people are missing is the facts. This industry hits hard. Entertainers live a tough life and technology can make their life better. We are currently working on how to approach these situations and discussing if we need to get higher-ups involved in these conversations. If we do, you can plan to see us at City Hall."
