Local

?? We're Hiring a Django Backend Developer! ?? Hey everyone! Local is looking for a Backend Developer to join our fast-growing team! If you're passionate about Django, building scalable systems, and supporting local businesses, we’d love to have you on board. About Local : We’re on a mission to transform urban exploration by seamlessly connecting people with the best eateries, activities, and events around them. Backed by Northwestern University’s startup incubator, The Garage, we've already onboarded 300+ restaurants and partnered with 15+ Northwestern committees to enhance their event visibility. What We’re Looking For: ? Strong experience with Django (Python) ? Knowledge of REST API development ? Experience with databases (PostgreSQL preferred) ? Ability to optimize backend performance and scalability ? Experience with AWS, Docker, or CI/CD pipelines (nice to have) ? Passion for startups, urban exploration, and supporting local businesses What You’ll Do: ?? Build and optimize Local’s backend infrastructure ?? Develop and maintain robust APIs for our platform ?? Work on our AI-driven recommendation system ?? Collaborate with our frontend and AI teams to enhance user experience ?? Help shape the future of Local’s tech stack as we scale Compensation & Growth: We understand that joining a startup is a commitment, and we want to ensure the right fit for both you and the team. ?? First month: Unpaid trial period – This will allow you to get familiar with our systems, team dynamics, and workflow. ?? Post-trial: Compensation based on performance – After the first month, we will discuss a salary based on how well you integrate with the team and contribute to the product. Why Join Us? ?? Work on a real-world impact product backed by Northwestern University ?? Be part of a fast-moving startup environment ?? Opportunity to take ownership of key backend components ?? Join a passionate team working on cutting-edge AI & urban discovery If you’re excited about revolutionizing how people explore their cities, we’d love to hear from you! ?? ?? DM this account with your resume to apply! Let’s build something amazing together. #Hiring #Django #BackendDeveloper #StartupJobs #ThinkLocal #Python #UrbanExploration #TechForGood

Recently, we had the privilege to participate in Baylor University's Baylor New Venture Competition, and what a journey it has been! We are thrilled to share that our team has been selected as one of the Top Finalists in this prestigious competition. This milestone is a testament to our team’s dedication, innovation, and passion for creating impactful solutions. We are excited to represent our vision on such a renowned platform and are looking forward to learning from and connecting with the incredible entrepreneurial minds at Baylor. As we prepare to share our vision to promote local businesses and support communities, we’re reminded of the importance of empowering local economies and fostering meaningful connections. Thank you to the organizers, and our mentors, for their unwavering support and helping us reach this stage. Stay tuned for updates as we continue this exciting journey! ?? #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #BaylorNVC #SupportLocal

Last week, my co-founder, Saloni Patel, and I had the privilege of meeting with the incredible President of Northwestern University, Michael Schill, to discuss how Local can make a lasting impact in the Northwestern and Evanston communities. Our conversation was inspiring, as President Schill shared his thoughtful vision for fostering stronger ties and supporting the local community. His commitment to making a difference filled us with renewed purpose as we explored innovative ways to uplift and empower local businesses. A heartfelt thank you to Dave Davis from Northwestern's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations for facilitating this introduction and for his belief in our vision. We’re excited by the potential to help deepen connections between the university and the community—a mission that means so much to us. #Northwestern #MichaelSchill #Local #CommunityImpact #SupportLocal #BuildingBridges #GoingOutThinkLocal

?? It Takes a Village—And Ours Just Got Bigger! We are excited to announce that Local has received a generous funding from Northwestern's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR). NCR plays a vital role in strengthening the relationship between Northwestern University and the broader Evanston community, and their support aligns perfectly with our mission. This funding will allow us to create even more meaningful connections between students, local businesses, and residents, bringing the best of Evanston right to your fingertips. Their backing is more than financial—it’s a commitment to fostering collaboration between Northwestern and the community it calls home. Thanks to NCR, we’re one step closer to making local discoveries more accessible and enriching the Evanston experience for everyone. We are grateful to have NCR as part of our journey and look forward to sharing the exciting developments ahead! We also want to thank EL Da' Sheon Nix, Dave Davies and Shayla Butler for their constant support and guidance. Let’s grow together! ?? Dev Ambani Saloni Patel #LocalAI #Evanston #Northwestern #NCR #community #funding

Place Matters: At Home in Evanston ?? Earlier this week, Saloni Patel and Dev Ambani had the opportunity to connect with the newest members of the Northwestern Wildcat family at the 'At Home in Evanston' event, organized by Northwestern University Alongside the Evanston community, Local was thrilled to be part of this exciting occasion! ???? The event provided students with valuable information about local discounts, key events, and streamlined booking options – all on a single platform. It was inspiring to see students' enthusiasm as they discovered the many ways they can engage with the vibrant Evanston community. ???? We’re also grateful for all the support from Northwestern—it means the world to us! Connecting with over 200 students who signed up for Local's beta tests in one day was amazing. We’re excited for what’s ahead! In case you missed meeting us, we got you covered! Sign up to our mailing list using the link and we will keep you posted! ?? https://lnkd.in/eUd6i-fG We look forward to supporting our Wildcats as they begin this new chapter and make the most of everything Northwestern and Evanston have to offer! ?? A huge thanks to Val Buchanan, EL Da' Sheon Nix, Northwestern's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations and Northwestern University for this opportunity to connect with the new class! ?? #Evanston #Northwestern #CommunityEngagement #StudentLife #WelcomeHome #ExploreEvanston #Local

?? Gratitude to The Garage at Northwestern University! ?? At Local, we are incredibly thankful for the unwavering support we've received from The Garage, especially from Mike Raab and Brylan Donaldson. The guidance and resources provided by Northwestern University's startup incubator have been instrumental in every step of our journey with Local. ?? Mike Raab and Brylan Donaldson have not only believed in our vision but have also actively supported us with invaluable mentorship that has helped us navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Their dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at The Garage at Northwestern University is truly inspiring. ?? Thanks to The Garage, we've been able to access crucial resources, participate in meaningful workshops, and connect with a vibrant entrepreneurial community. This support has been pivotal in bringing Local to life and shaping our growth trajectory. ?? Thank you, Mike, Brylan, and The Garage team, for being our champions and partners in this exciting venture. We are eager to continue making a positive impact, fueled by the belief and support of The Garage. ?? #StartupGratitude #TheGarageNU #MentorshipMatters #LocalBusiness #Entrepreneurship #InnovationHub #StartupLife #NorthwesternUniversity #GratefulHeart #CommunitySupport #BusinessIncubator #TechStartups #BuildingDreams #EntrepreneurialSpirit

Welcome to Local, where our vision is to transform urban exploration while empowering the heartbeat of every city: local businesses. We believe that life’s best experiences should be easy to find and enjoy, so we're connecting you with curated events, unique dining, and hidden gems—all while supporting the local businesses that make each place special. Our dedicated team is working relentlessly to bring this vision to life, ensuring that you spend less time planning and more time creating lasting memories. We invite you to join us on this journey as we prepare for our launch in Evanston, the vibrant home of Northwestern University and the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management. Get ready to explore effortlessly with Local! “Going out? Think Local!” #EvanstonLaunch #LocalApp #NorthwesternUniversity #TheGarage #KelloggSchoolOfManagement #GoingOutThinkLocal