Guidesly: Recreational Fishing Marketplace Startup Secures Pre-Seed Funding
Boston SportsTech company serving the market for outdoor recreation guides announces funding, launch of platform, website, and mobile app
BOSTON – January 12, 2021 – Guidesly (https://guidesly.com/), the company whose apps and SaaS technology and online platform connect outdoor enthusiasts with trusted guides, today announced the closing of its pre-seed funding round.
Investors in the pre-seed round include:
- Drive by DraftKings - Boston-based multi-stage VC firm that invests in SportsTech and Entertainment
- Seedfunders - St. Petersburg, FL early-stage investment firm
- Howard H. Stevenson - Stevenson Family Investment Limited Partnership, Professor Emeritus (Harvard Business School), entrepreneurship expert, former Trustee (The Nature Conservancy of Massachusetts).
- Joe Caruso and Bantam Group
- Boston-area angels— Ralph Folz, Janet Holian, Ezra Kucharz, Ian Levine, David Lord, Bruce Twickler, James Frates, Patrick Sullivan, and Eric Moffitt.
Funds from this initial investment will be applied to further develop and market Guidesly’s mobile applications and marketplace platform that helps simplify and strengthen how fishing guides and consumers that love to fish engage with one another, for unprecedented mutual benefit.
“Guidesly is an exciting marketplace well positioned in the guides space, which has been starving for tech innovation,” said Meredith McPherron, Drive by DraftKings CEO and Managing Partner. “The outdoor recreation market accounted for 2.1 percent ($459.8 billion) of GDP in 2019 and is continuing to experience a boon as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic fuels demand for socially distant, safe activities for people.”
Eileen Shapiro, Partner of Seedfunders adds, "Guidesly brings together many compelling elements that led us to invest. Their combination of a proven CEO and experienced team focused on delivering on a market with large, untapped potential is very attractive."
Guidesly is a purpose-built marketplace designed to remove frustrations felt by more than 51 million Americans who fish for fun, as well as to address painful inefficiencies and business challenges experienced by thousands of U.S. expert fishing guides who are qualified and eager to serve them.
David Lord, Founder and CEO, Guidesly, Inc. says "Guidesly's Pre-Seed investors demonstrate our commitment to developing technology to solve the problems consumers and guides face today. Like our company, Drive by DraftKings is focused on the convergence of technology and sports. As Florida-based investment group, Seedfunders is an ideal partner for Guidesly to work alongside as we launch in our first market of Florida: ‘The Fishing Capital of the World.' Florida serves as a strong, strategic, launch state that allows us to tap into the dedicated anglers, boaters and outdoor recreational lovers. Last, but certainly not least – with his long experience as the lion of entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School, and business success, Howard Stevenson is an exceptional addition to our team. Together, our investors represent tremendous allies to help ensure Guidesly’s success going forward.”
About Guidesly
Guidesly, Inc. is a technology company building a marketplace for the outdoor recreational industry. Guidesly connects outdoor enthusiasts with trusted guides through leading-edge consumer experiences and guide tools that improve the guest experience. Guidesly's fishing vertical provides trusted fishing guides and charter captains with all types of anglers seeking fishing trips with a seamless experience between the website and mobile applications. Guidesly addresses the 51 million Americans who have a passion for fishing and searching for guided fishing experiences. From their local river to checking off that far-way bucket list trip – Guidesly provides a journey for all anglers. Headquartered in Boston, Mass. USA - Guidesly is run by a team including veterans of mission-driven consumer tech companies, award-winning designers, and proven experts in building cloud-based software platforms and businesses. For more information, visit https://www.guidesly.com/
Media Contact(s):
Patrick Rafter, Head of Communications and PR
Guidesly, Inc. (Massachusetts USA)
M: 617-901-2697 E: patrick.rafter@guidesly.com
Follow Guidesly online:
Web: https://www.guidesly.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guidesly
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Guidesly
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guidesly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidesly/
Guidesly, the Guidesly App, and the Guidesly logo are trademarks or service marks of Guidesly, Inc. All other company, product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
