Connecting based on travel
Worldwide Meetup is an online matching system that connects couples, groups and families with each other based on their shared travel interests.
Calgary native Greg Clearwater came up with the idea while on an overseas trip with his wife last year. They signed up on numerous websites, hoping to find other couples or groups to join for dinner, drinks or sightseeing while abroad, but most results were from people only interested in dating.
Here’s more from Clearwater on his startup:
Q What has been the biggest challenge so far? What have you done to solve it?
A Building partnerships with synergistic sites. For example, we’ve offered to drive traffic to restaurant booking sites at no cost and found them to be unreceptive. Our plan is to build this capability into our site and offer it to businesses directly. As people are connecting with each other over their travel interests, they still need to research and book activities, restaurants, etc.
Q Are there any key individuals outside of your organization that have been of great help to your startup?
A Most people have been very supportive. They are looking for something new that can match them to others with similar interests and also help them find the right information before or during their vacation. We have done
tremendous amounts of market research and have a solid team in place. Talking to the public is always the best resource for feedback so we can understand what would bring them to our site and keep them coming back.
Q What advice would you like to share with others starting out?
A I’ve had a number of jobs and some were very rewarding, however, I believe the best success is the one you make for yourself. You can have a great career, high pay and an excellent employer, but you will always be an employee. I have been in that situation too many times within Alberta’s major industry, but I am at the age where I need to rely on myself and not the ebb and flow of the industry’s boom or bust.
Work on something you are passionate about. Figure out what interests you have that can translate into a career to support you and your family for years to come. Thoroughly research the market that you are looking at for new
ideas and concepts to jump-start your business.
Q What made you choose to go down the path of entrepreneurship?
A I have always wanted to be in business for myself, but you have to work and do what you can to stay on top of your bills. Due to the recent downturn in Alberta’s industry and the economy, I was laid off and thought there would not be another opportune time to roll this out. I would have started this regardless, but it would just take me longer doing it part time.
Q What do you and your startup need help with?
A We would like people to try it out and give us your feedback. Check out: WorldwideMeetup.com