Locals in ppi Media's home state of Schleswig-Holstein have their own social media platform, thanks to efforts of two young entrepreneurs.

Sebastian Penthin and Justin Hallauer are getting 'free coffee for a year' - plus office space and mentoring - after winning the software company's promotional prize.

Instead of the whole world getting in on the act, their Localportal focusses on villages, regions and neighbourhoods.

"Users know their content stays close to home," says Penthin. Contributions come only from users in the region, allowing users to get quick access to what is going on 'right in his backyard.'

"In addition to this, we are consistently strict when it comes to protecting data," he says.

The founders' vision is to concentrate information in one location and have it customised for each user, with lokalportal's online community made up of three types of user - public spaces such as local authorities and cities, local businesses, and pages for organisations, initiatives and other providers of information relevant to the community.

This group also includes local newspapers with publishing houses able to share their local content. The platform is being beta tested in Schleswig-Holstein ahead of a market launch across Germany.

Developers and top management at ppi are helping the start-up with advice, accommodation... and coffee.

Pictured: Hallauer and Penthin with Jan Kasten and Manuel Scheyda