Rutgers University interviews Shopden

Rutgers’ The Gleaner recently published an article diving into the behind-the-scenes journey of Shopden, a startup founded by Rutgers grad Mikael La Ferla. The piece highlights the real-world challenges of launching a tech startup as a student, from the initial idea phase to developing an app and preparing for its big launch. It paints a picture of what it takes to turn a concept into a fully functioning product—especially in the personal finance space.

The article focuses on La Ferla’s motivation, explaining how his own struggles with budgeting and managing expenses led him to create a shopping list and expense-tracking app. The piece also discusses the growing need for financial tools, particularly among young adults dealing with rising costs, inflation, and unpredictable spending habits.

Now, let’s talk about Shopden—the app at the center of it all.

What is Shopden?

Shopden is a mobile app that makes budgeting, shopping, and expense tracking simple. It’s designed for anyone who wants to be smarter with their money, whether that’s a college student trying to stick to a budget or a household looking to cut down on grocery costs.

Key Features of Shopden

✅ Collaborative Shopping Lists – Create and share shopping lists with family, roommates, or friends so no one forgets the milk again.
✅ Expense Tracking – Upload receipts or connect your bank account to see where your money is really going.
✅ Budgeting Tools – Categorize expenses, set spending limits, and keep an eye on your financial habits.

The article highlights La Ferla’s approach to making finance feel less intimidating, something many young adults struggle with. Instead of spreadsheets and overwhelming finance apps, Shopden keeps things straightforward. It’s built to help people take control of their spending without feeling like they’re doing homework.

As The Gleaner article points out, Shopden is launching at the perfect time—right before the holiday season, when people tend to overspend. The app will be available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, making it easy for anyone to get started.

In short, The Gleaner’s feature on Mikael La Ferla and Shopden showcases what it takes to build a startup from scratch and why there’s a real need for a shopping and budgeting app that actually helps people stay on top of their finances. 🚀