RemoteYear

Remote Year was a travel and logistics platform established to serve the growing market of remote professionals and digital nomads. It was founded in 2014 by Greg Caplan and Sam Pessin. Caplan's background includes founding a fashion company, oBaz, which was acquired by Groupon, and he was inspired to start Remote Year after feeling constrained by a traditional office job and wanting to travel. Pessin brought experience from consulting at Bain & Company and had a background of growing up internationally.

The company's core offering consisted of curated work and travel programs that bundled accommodations, co-working space access with reliable internet, and both professional and local activities. These programs were structured into one, four, and twelve-month itineraries across various cities in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, removing the logistical complexities for individuals wanting to work while traveling. The business model was primarily subscription-based, with participants paying a significant down payment to reserve a spot followed by monthly fees. For example, a 12-month program could cost around $33,200. Initial interest was substantial, with over 25,000 applicants for the first 75-person cohort which launched in the summer of 2015.

The company catered to both individual professionals and employees from major corporations, having worked with people from over 300 companies, including some from the Fortune 500. Over its lifespan, Remote Year secured significant venture capital, including a $12 million Series A round in 2016, with notable investors like Highland Capital Partners and Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk. In October 2020, the hospitality brand Selina acquired Remote Year in an all-stock transaction. The aim was for Remote Year to continue as a separate brand while leveraging Selina's global properties. However, after Selina faced financial difficulties and was subsequently acquired, Remote Year announced its closure in December 2024, citing a lack of operational support from its new parent company.

Keywords: remote work travel, digital nomad community, work and travel programs, global travel subscription, co-living, co-working travel, professional travel programs, international work experience, location-independent lifestyle, managed travel services, group travel for professionals, remote career development, Selina, Greg Caplan, Sam Pessin, work from anywhere, global mobility, corporate remote work, travel logistics, workation