Trippie – Airport App
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: October 1, 2017
Asking For:
$100,000 for 10%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
Trippie is an app designed to simplify navigation in large airports, helping travelers find their way to amenities and services with ease.
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Background Story
Ryan Diew, the creator of Trippie, developed the idea while being a college student and former Division I basketball player traveling frequently through airports. Frustrated with the confusion of airport layouts and the lack of easily accessible information on amenities, he envisioned an app to streamline the airport experience.
As a computer science major, he used his coding skills to create Trippie, which aims not only to provide directional guidance but also to build a community of travelers sharing information about airport experiences. Since its inception, Trippie expanded from four to nine airports.
The Product
Trippie allows users to select an airport and provides a list of all available restaurants and services. Users can then choose a destination within the airport, and the app guides them with real-time directions.
The app focuses on connecting air travelers, fostering a community where users can share information about TSA wait times and more. Trippie currently relies on descriptions sourced from public websites and reviews for its data.
While the app is in its early stages, Ryan envisions further development, including the incorporation of flight itinerary parsing. Trippie distinguishes itself by aiming to be more than an airport directory, aspiring to be a Waze for indoor spaces.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
Trippie, although in its early stages, expanded from four to nine airports, including major ones like San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, and Toronto. Since its launch in October, the app garnered 850 downloads and has 160 monthly active users. The founder, Ryan Diew, turned down job opportunities from tech giants like Facebook and Google to focus entirely on Trippie. Currently, the company is sustained by the founder’s dedication, and the priority is to secure funding for hiring a developer to improve the app’s functionality, particularly in parsing flight itineraries.
The Negotiations:
The Sharks expressed concerns about the app’s competitiveness and the challenge of building a user base. Despite recognizing Ryan’s passion and dedication, they unanimously decided not to invest. The Sharks advised Ryan to focus on creating a more distinctive and proprietary product, highlighting the importance of having a tangible and unique value proposition. Although Ryan faced rejection, the Sharks encouraged him to persevere and prove them wrong. Despite the emotional setback, Ryan left the tank with determination and a plan to improve Trippie.
