The Problem
Every semester, thousands of students overpay for textbooks, throw out perfectly good furniture, and scroll through sketchy listings on platforms built for everyone except them. Generic marketplaces dump you into a sea of strangers. Campus Facebook groups are chaotic and unmoderated. Craigslist is a gamble.
Students deserve better. You should be able to trade with people you trust, people who walk the same halls, eat at the same dining halls, and understand the same deadlines.
What We Believe
We believe campus communities are the most natural marketplaces in the world. You already share a campus, a schedule, and a zip code. The trust is built in. All that was missing was the platform.
We believe every student should have access to affordable essentials, whether it's a $5 textbook from last semester's class, a mini fridge from a graduating senior, or a sublease for the summer. The things you need are already around you, owned by people just like you.
What We're Building
gathru is a marketplace built exclusively for verified college students. Every feature exists because a real student needed it:
- Verified .edu accounts so you always know who you're dealing with.
- Campus-scoped feeds so you see listings from your school and nearby campuses first.
- Housing, meal swipes, services, and storage, not just stuff. The full college economy.
- In-app meetup proposals with verification codes, because trading should feel safe.
- Auctions, fixed prices, and negotiation, so you can sell the way that works for you.