What is Guidesly?
Guidesly operates as a digital marketplace connecting outdoor enthusiasts with trusted guides, initially focusing on the fishing sector. The company provides leading-edge consumer experiences and essential tools for guides, aiming to enhance the overall guest experience. By streamlining the process of finding and booking fishing trips, Guidesly caters to anglers seeking seamless planning from local excursions to far-flung adventures. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Guidesly's team comprises veterans from mission-driven consumer tech companies, award-winning designers, and experts in cloud-based software platforms.
How much funding has Guidesly raised?
Guidesly has raised a total of $13.6M across 3 funding rounds:
Debt
$61K
Angel/Seed
$4M
Series A
$9.5M
Debt (2021): $61K with participation from PPP
Angel/Seed (2022): $4M led by Stevenson Family Investment Limited Partnership, Janet Holian, Howard H. Stevenson, Ian Levine, Elysian Park Ventures, Ezra Kucharz, Greycroft Partners, DRIVE by DraftKings, David Lord, Seedfunders, Bruce Twickler, and Ralph Folz
Series A (2025): $9.5M supported by Aspen Capital Group, Yeti Capital, Half Court Ventures, Marquee Ventures, Derive Ventures, and Elysian Park Ventures
Key Investors in Guidesly
Elysian Park Ventures
Elysian Park Ventures is an investment firm focused on the intersection of sports and various global markets, including health, culture, commerce, and technology. They invest in companies that innovate in areas such as sports performance, media, and lifestyle brands, aiming to enhance the human experience through sports.
Greycroft Partners
Greycroft is a leading venture capital firm focused on investments in the Internet and mobile markets. Greycroft leverages an extensive network of media and technology industry connections to help entrepreneurs gain visibility, build strategic relationships, bring their products to market, and build successful businesses.
DRIVE by DraftKings
Drive by DraftKings is a multi-stage venture capital firm that specializes in investing in SportsTech and Entertainment. The firm aims to drive the future of sports, gaming, and media by collaborating with founders who are pushing the boundaries of new markets and categories.
What's next for Guidesly?
With the recent major strategic investment, Guidesly is poised for significant scaling and market penetration. The substantial capital infusion, following earlier seed and angel funding, indicates a transition into a growth phase, likely Series A or beyond. This backing will enable Guidesly to enhance its technology platform, expand its service offerings beyond fishing, and strengthen its market position. The company's focus on building a robust ecosystem for outdoor recreation suggests future developments in guide management tools, booking systems, and community engagement features, aiming to become the definitive platform for outdoor adventures.
See full Guidesly company page