The people you meet while traveling enriches the entire experience. But how do you ensure that you are meeting like-minded people during your travels? The answer: Scapade. It’s a soon-to-launch app that connects you with fellow travelers based on preferences allowing to create your own personal traveling profile, search for other travelers, and open your trip up to new possibilities. While still in beta, the company is looking forward to delivering a new, connected travel experience.
AlleyWatch chatted with founder Marjorie Perlas about the company and how it plans to grow.
Tell us about the product or service.
Scapade is a mobile app that allows travelers and locals to connect while promoting sustainable travel experiences.
How is it different?
This travel product, unlike many others, puts focus back on the connection/relationships versus focusing first on a predetermined itinerary.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
Our market is targeting primarily young Travelers – 23% of the 1.3 billion global tourist arrivals.
What is the business model?
Targeted ads, mobile booking platform, premium account.
What inspired the business?
My own personal travels and seeing a need for this product in the market within my network and through people I have met while traveling.
What’s your favorite travel destination?
That’s a difficult question. I would say Italy only because I have returned every year since studying and working there five years ago.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
iOS and Android launch, email marketing implementation, and user acquisition milestones.
What is the one piece of startup advice that you never got?
Take advantage of every moment you can steal some sleep/rest
If you could be put in touch with anyone in the New York community who would it be and why?
Partnership decision makers for airlines – they are the most difficult to get a hold of.
Why did you launch in New York?
The population density and international community is the perfect environment to create a test case for this product.
What’s your favorite restaurant in the city?
I’d say Sushi Yasaka.