Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Theodora Chatzipavlidis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Theodora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
At travelout, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the travel experience by connecting travelers around the globe, fostering cultural awareness, and supporting local communities through our AI-powered app. The journey from idea to execution has been both exhilarating and challenging, filled with learning curves, strategic decisions, and moments of serendipity.
The inception of travelout traces back to my personal experiences living abroad for over 2.5 years and traveling around the wolrd my whole life. During my master’s studies, a course on startup tools and methodologies sparked the idea of travelout in the mid-2022. The concept resonated deeply with me, given my own challenges in finding travel companions and meaningful local experiences. Fueled by excitement and a clear vision, I decided to pursue this idea beyond the classroom.
In the days that followed, the concept of travelout began to take shape. I dove into research, seeking to understand the travel industry’s landscape, the needs of solo travelers, and the potential for technology to bridge these gaps. My background in finance and entrepreneurship provided a solid foundation, but the real learning curve was in the nuances of the travel sector and the technological possibilities.
Recognizing the potential of this venture, I approached Parashos, a like-minded enthusiast with a shared passion for travel and a keen understanding of the problem at hand. Our complementary skills and mutual drive for solving the loneliness and disconnect often felt by travelers laid the foundation for our partnership.
The next few months were a whirlwind of activity. Mornings were spent in coffee shops sketching out business plans and user personas, afternoons in libraries deep-diving into AI and matchmaking algorithms, and evenings networking at startup events. It was at one such event that I met Bhupendra, our future CTO, whose expertise in AI was the missing piece we needed. And in May 2023, Bhupendra finally joined us, bringing the technical prowess needed to develop the sophisticated algorithms that underpin our app.
As we embarked on this journey, we engaged with over 100 individuals through interviews, online surveys, and prototype testing to validate our idea and tailor our solution to the needs and desires of our target audience. This extensive validation process ensured that travelout was built on a deep understanding of our users’ challenges and aspirations. We learned that beyond finding travel companions, our users craved authentic experiences and meaningful connections, guiding us to incorporate features like the AI Travel Assistant and sustainable travel options.
By mid-2023, the idea phase morphed into execution. We faced numerous challenges, from defining our MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to securing initial funding. We opted for a lean startup approach, focusing on building a simple yet functional beta version of our app to test our hypotheses about user needs and preferences.
Currently, we’re gearing up for our beta testing phase at the end of February 2024, with 500 participants worldwide poised to experience and provide feedback on travelout. This phase is crucial for refining our app before our official launch in June this year.
To support our journey, we’ve secured grants and utilized our financial resources to cover initial costs. We’re in the process of closing our first convertible note round with our close network, family, and friends, which provided us the runway we needed without diluting equity prematurely. We also plan to kickstart a crowdfunding campaign one month before our launch to bolster our marketing efforts and engage our growing community.
Looking back, the journey from idea to execution was a tapestry of learning, adaptation, and relentless pursuit of our vision. It required not just technical and business acumen but a deep understanding of the human desire for connection and exploration. While looking ahead, the path to launching travelout is clear but challenging. Every step, from securing funding to perfecting our platform, is taken with our users’ needs at heart. Our goal is not just to launch an app but to create a movement that makes travel more connected, meaningful, and enriching for everyone involved.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Theodora, 28 years old and the visionary behind travelout, an AI powered Travel App dedicated to transforming the travel experience by fostering meaningful connections and cultural awareness. My journey into the travel-tech industry was inspired by my own experiences as an avid traveler who lived abroad for over 2.5 years and faced the challenges of finding travel companions who shared similar interests and values and matched with my free spirit.
travelout is the culmination of my passion for travel and my academic background in International Finance and Entrepreneurship. The idea was sparked during my master’s studies, where a course on startup tools and methodologies not only introduced me to the fundamentals of building a startup but also ignited the desire to solve a problem I deeply resonated with – the loneliness and lack of authentic local experiences that travelers often encounter.
Our service is centered around an AI-powered app that connects travelers based on compatibility, offering personalized travel assistance and curated local experiences. We aim to break down barriers, reduce stereotypes, and promote sustainable travel, making every journey an opportunity for personal growth and cultural enrichment.
What sets travelout apart is our commitment to creating genuine human connections and our focus on cultural immersion. Unlike traditional travel platforms that may prioritize sightseeing and accommodations, we delve into the essence of travel – the transformative experiences and the bonds formed along the way. At the core of our differentiation is also our sophisticated AI technology, which goes beyond mere location-based matchmaking to consider personality traits, interests, and travel preferences, ensuring a deeper level of compatibility between travel companions.
Safety is paramount in the world of solo and group travel, and here, travelout shines. We’ve implemented a rigorous verification process for all our users, providing peace of mind and fostering a safe, trustworthy community. This focus on safety, combined with our AI’s nuanced understanding of each user, creates a secure app where travelers can connect with confidence. Moreover, our dedication to supporting local communities and promoting sustainable travel options is embedded in our service. travelout doesn’t just connect travelers to each other; we connect them to local cultures, businesses, and eco-friendly travel experiences. This commitment to sustainability and cultural immersion enriches our users’ travel experiences, making each journey not only a personal adventure but also a contribution to the local economies and environments they visit.
I’m most proud of the community we’re building – a community that values diversity, sustainability, and the power of travel to unite people. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that travelout is more than a travel app; it’s a movement towards a more connected and understanding world. Our app is designed for those who seek more than just a destination; it’s for those who see travel as a pathway to global citizenship and personal discovery.
As we prepare for our upcoming beta phase and official launch this year, I’m excited to invite you on this journey with us. travelout isn’t just my story; it’s a canvas for all travelers to paint their adventures, share their stories, and contribute to a global tapestry of interconnected experiences.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My journey to where I stand today with travelout is a testament to resilience, a trait that has been a constant through various facets of my life. Reflecting on my undergraduate days, I recall a period that truly epitomizes this resilience. Balancing a full-time study schedule with a part-time job was just the tip of the iceberg. Amidst writing exams and completing my bachelor’s thesis, I maintained a rigorous fitness regimen, going to the gym five times a week, nurturing a relationship, and ensuring quality time with friends—all while ensuring I got at least six hours of sleep each night.
This whirlwind of commitments was driven by a singular goal: to excel academically, to make amends for my less-than-stellar high school performance. The culmination of this effort was graduating with the best grade in my class, a moment of triumph that underscored the power of resilience and hard work.
Fast forward to today, and this ethos of resilience hasn’t waned. Juggling the full-time commitment of leading travelout, I also thrive in multiple roles—coaching in social entrepreneurship, hosting my own podcast alongside our founders’ podcast, lecturing in corporate finance and project innovation, and being a part-time project manager in another company. My dedication to fitness hasn’t faltered either, with a decade-long commitment to regular gym visits every week.
This ability to balance and excel in multiple high-demand roles stems from a deep-seated resilience, an unwavering belief in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s this resilience that has been pivotal in navigating the challenges of startup life. From conceptualizing travelout to steering it through its formative stages, resilience has been my compass, guiding me through uncertainties and setbacks with a steadfast determination to succeed.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My entrepreneurial journey and management style have been profoundly influenced by a blend of classic literature and contemporary insights. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries revolutionized my approach to building a startup, emphasizing the importance of agility, iterative development, and validated learning. Ries’s principles of the build-measure-learn feedback loop have been foundational in how we’ve developed travelout, allowing us to adapt and evolve our product based on real user feedback.
Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” has been instrumental in shaping our company culture and brand. Sinek’s concept of the Golden Circle and the idea that successful organizations communicate their ‘why’ before anything else resonated deeply with me, guiding how we articulate travelout’s mission to connect travelers on a meaningful level.
On the management front, “Drive” by Daniel H. Pink provided invaluable insights into what motivates people. Pink’s focus on autonomy, mastery, and purpose has influenced how I lead our team, ensuring that each member feels valued, autonomous, and part of our larger mission.
In terms of videos and talks, Y Combinator’s Startup School and TED Talks have been a constant source of inspiration and learning. The diverse range of topics, from technological innovation to psychological insights, keeps me informed and inspired.
Lastly, Paul Graham’s essays, particularly those on startup growth and creating value, have been a guiding light. His clear, direct advice on focusing on what users want and doing things that don’t scale initially has been particularly impactful in the early stages of travelout.
These resources, among others, have not only shaped my entrepreneurial mindset but also instilled a philosophy of continuous learning, user-centric development, and purpose-driven leadership within our team at travelout.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travelouts.de/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelout_now/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traveloutRightnow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodora-chatzipavlidis/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@travelout_now