App discovery company Mimvi launched a developer crowd funding and discovery programme called TrepLabs.

The aim of the programme — which is being run in conjunction with publisher Entrepreneur Media — is to improve app visibility and “market traction” and to reduce the developer community’s reliance on app stores.

Developers that qualify for TrepLabs will receive financial, business and technology support and be showcased across Entrepreneur.com’s 6 million-strong readership.

Typical levels of funding will be in the tens of thousands of dollars, larger than the amounts usually seen with other crowd funding initiatives, according to Mimvi.

Other benefits will include access to beta testers, early adopters, professional branding, backend infrastructure support, user acquisition, social marketing, media exposure and sponsored placement on the Mimvi app search engine.

Revenue will be shared across all parties involved.

Developers can now submit their apps for review on Mimvi.com.