Richard Martell
Encyclopedia
Richard Lewis Martell, also known as "Rich Martell" or "Dicky M" (born 10 February 1989) is an Internet
entrepreneur
best known for creating the social networks Floxx
and FitFinder
. He has been likened to Mark Zuckerberg
due to the problems he faced with University College London
, the institution he attended, following the FitFinder
's launch in April 2010.
and later University College London
. Whilst at University Martell worked in the Technology divisions of a number of investment firms including Goldman Sachs
.
on Friday, 23 April 2010 at 9am; within 6 hours of the site being up it had to be pulled down due to such high demand and abuse. He was quoted later describing his surprise at the popularity of it as it was 'only a joke'.
In May 2010, Martell was given the maximum fine by his university for 'bringing the university into disrepute'. Martell refused to remove the site; however, on May 28, 2010, the website was removed and replaced with a holding page and message signed off by Dicky M citing 'increased pressure' from universities to remove the site. He vowed to bring back a new improved FitFinder
for the next academic year.
. Mostly based around FitFinder but with a few subtle differences, Floxx seemed to gather vast traction quickly. It was reported that Floxx
was initially funded by Dragons Den investor, Doug Richard
and US super angel
Kevin Wall
Floxx immediately spread globally with posts in over 40 countries in the first four weeks. In July 2011, Martell announced that Floxx was going to focus on developing ideas that were specifically for use on mobile platforms, especially location based social networks. A few months later, the app MapChat was launched reaching a top 10 ranking in the app store.
In October, Martell launched Spottd - a location based social network allowing users to share and discover posts around them. . Spottd was reportedly a pivot by Floxx Media Group
after struggling to find traction with their initial 'FitFinder' app.
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
best known for creating the social networks Floxx
Floxx
Floxx is a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. It is the new incarnation of the defunct social networking site FitFinder, and it was launched by its creator Rich Martell on 3rd January 2011...
and FitFinder
FitFinder
FitFinder was a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. FitFinder is described by its creator, Rich Martell, as localised anonymous microblogging...
. He has been likened to Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American computer programmer and Internet entrepreneur. He is best known for co-creating the social networking site Facebook, of which he is chief executive and president...
due to the problems he faced with University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, the institution he attended, following the FitFinder
FitFinder
FitFinder was a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. FitFinder is described by its creator, Rich Martell, as localised anonymous microblogging...
's launch in April 2010.
Early life
According to sources, Martell started his first internet business, when he was only 15 years old to provide income throughout his education at Bedford SchoolBedford School
Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom...
and later University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. Whilst at University Martell worked in the Technology divisions of a number of investment firms including Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
.
FitFinder
He launched FitFinderFitFinder
FitFinder was a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. FitFinder is described by its creator, Rich Martell, as localised anonymous microblogging...
on Friday, 23 April 2010 at 9am; within 6 hours of the site being up it had to be pulled down due to such high demand and abuse. He was quoted later describing his surprise at the popularity of it as it was 'only a joke'.
In May 2010, Martell was given the maximum fine by his university for 'bringing the university into disrepute'. Martell refused to remove the site; however, on May 28, 2010, the website was removed and replaced with a holding page and message signed off by Dicky M citing 'increased pressure' from universities to remove the site. He vowed to bring back a new improved FitFinder
FitFinder
FitFinder was a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. FitFinder is described by its creator, Rich Martell, as localised anonymous microblogging...
for the next academic year.
Floxx Media
On 3 January 2011, Martell launched his new social network, FloxxFloxx
Floxx is a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. It is the new incarnation of the defunct social networking site FitFinder, and it was launched by its creator Rich Martell on 3rd January 2011...
. Mostly based around FitFinder but with a few subtle differences, Floxx seemed to gather vast traction quickly. It was reported that Floxx
Floxx
Floxx is a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. It is the new incarnation of the defunct social networking site FitFinder, and it was launched by its creator Rich Martell on 3rd January 2011...
was initially funded by Dragons Den investor, Doug Richard
Doug Richard
Doug Richard is a United Kingdom based Californian entrepreneur and specialist in technology transfer, commercialisation, and business incubation. He came to prominence as a result of the BBC programme Dragons' Den, where he appeared as a 'dragon', or investor in the first two series...
and US super angel
Angel investor
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity...
Kevin Wall
Kevin Wall
Kevin Wall, born March 15, 1952 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a producer, digital entrepreneur and environmentalist who creates and produces global events often viewed by a billion or more people...
Floxx immediately spread globally with posts in over 40 countries in the first four weeks. In July 2011, Martell announced that Floxx was going to focus on developing ideas that were specifically for use on mobile platforms, especially location based social networks. A few months later, the app MapChat was launched reaching a top 10 ranking in the app store.
In October, Martell launched Spottd - a location based social network allowing users to share and discover posts around them. . Spottd was reportedly a pivot by Floxx Media Group
Floxx
Floxx is a social networking website primarily based in the United Kingdom. It is the new incarnation of the defunct social networking site FitFinder, and it was launched by its creator Rich Martell on 3rd January 2011...
after struggling to find traction with their initial 'FitFinder' app.