Local Guddy

Local Guddy operated as an online, peer-to-peer marketplace connecting travelers with local guides for authentic travel experiences. The company was founded in 2016 by Emre Semercioğlu and was headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. The platform was built on the belief that cities are best represented by passionate locals offering personal and unique tours through their own eyes.

The business model centered on creating a two-sided marketplace. On one side, locals could create profiles to list tours and activities, allowing them to earn extra income and build friendships by showcasing their cities. On the other side, travelers could browse and book these experiences, providing them with a more cost-effective and genuine alternative to traditional guided tours. The platform offered access to a range of activities, including information on bars, clubs, food, nightlife, and outdoor excursions. By the time of its acquisition, Local Guddy offered over 800 experiences across more than 200 cities.

The company's journey included securing funding through two rounds in 2017, an Angel round from Joachim Behrendt in June and a subsequent Seed round from investors including AC Ventures, BIC Angel Investments, and Pareto Ventures. A significant milestone occurred in February 2018 when Local Guddy was acquired by Triple, a Sweden-based competitor with a similar business model. Following the acquisition, the two companies consolidated their content onto a single platform operating under the Triple brand, with Semercioğlu taking on the role of head of market growth to help scale the combined entity.

Keywords: peer-to-peer travel, local guides, travel marketplace, authentic experiences, city tours, travel activities, P2P platform, local tourism, tour guide marketplace, travel tech, Emre Semercioğlu, Triple acquisition, AC Ventures, cultural travel, experience booking, travel community, local experiences, guided tours, personalized travel, travel startup