Ever feel a little lonely when you’re traveling solo? Shama Zehra and Ty Sawyer know what you’re talking about, so they’ve built a platform to help you make meaningful connections with people with whom you share common interests.
They call Jetzy the “world’s first geo-location based social app.” Besides letting you connect with locals and travelers, it allows you to join chats, post photos, and earn points that can be redeemed for rewards. It just launched a beta version, available on iTunes and Android.
“What we’re doing is using social media and creating a platform and community of cool people who want to help each other travel like a local,” says Zehra.
With just a few days left of its Indiegogo campaign, the travel app has already exceeded its fundraising goal of $50,000.
What was the inspiration?
Zehra calls herself a “people person, traveler, and entrepreneur.” A native of Pakistan, she started her first business at 16. After 20 years in finance, she says her inspiration stems from a desire to be authentic to who she is and what makes her tick.
“One day, I read about a guy who was an expert commentator on the travel channel and a TV show host,” says Shama, a WeWork SoHo South member. “I contacted him, and we met for a 30 minute coffee that became a four-hour meeting. After the meeting I knew I could build a travel and lifestyle business around his experiences, but I didn’t know what. And one day it hits me. My best travels were when I connected with other travelers and locals and got recommendations directly from them.”
That travel channel commentator Shama spent hours tossing around ideas with is her business partner in Jetzy.
How will it change people’s lives?
“In Jetzy we connect you with people on the basis of your location and interests,” Shama says. “Jetzy is an app but what we’re really building is a Jetzy lifestyle, a community where people help you along the way. With Jetzy you always have a friend in your pocket. You’re never alone.”
Along with Jetzy’s app, Shama plans to launch a charity arm for the startup called Jetzy Give. Her passion for helping children and women in business gave her the idea. She’s all about nurturing and mentoring those who need career resources, expertise and support.
“I’m passionate about helping people, especially in their careers,” Zehra says. “When our child Jetzy grows, I’ll start a charity to create opportunities for children and mentorship programs for women.”