Hyde Park entrepreneur Danny Stull wants to you help you get away from it all by spending time in a park, in a canoe or on hike. But before you get too far away, he's hoping you'll take a look at his new web site
Venturepax, a hyper local site that helps you locate the perfect nearby activity.
Venturepax doesn't just tell you where the nearest Greater Cincinnati campsite or park is, but what you can expect to find when you get there. For instance, if you go to the site looking for a place to cycle, you'll get a list of bike trails, their level of difficulty, trail photos and other available nearby activities. Drill down deeper and you can find parking information, the length and type of trail (paved or dirt), and the ideal season for tackling it.
"What we are trying to do is offer one, easy-to-use, intuitive location to find a place to get outdoors and explore natural beauty," said Stull, the site's founder. "All the information is being gathered by (volunteer) local pros. We've recruited people who love the outdoors and are cataloging the places they go."
The site is currently in beta, and Stull is working on building a business around Venturepax. His is one of five companies who won a spot in the inaugural class of
The Brandery, the city's new consumer marketing venture accelerator.
Venturepax fits the bill because it's more than an information site. In order to generate revenue the site will offer recommendations for - and allow users to purchase - gear that best suits the experience users seek. Those experiences range from camping and fly fishing to backpacking and running.
Stull is also working to develop a smart phone app that will allow users to "check in" to their destination like geolocation application
Foursquare. Once a person checks into a park or other scenic area, they'll be directed to deals for coffee or dinner, for instance, at a nearby local business.
"We really want to help the local business compete," said Stull, a 2007 Miami University marketing grad.
Stull is near the end of
12-week entrepreneur course at The Brandery, which includes a $20,000 investment, business mentoring and access to marketing and legal services. As the course ends, he along with other Brandery companies will pitch their idea to potential investors.
The course has helped Stull focus on the financials of his business, he said, setting up a strong foundation for its future.
"A whole group of mentors have volunteered their time, and it's really forced me to take a deeper look at my own company, the financials, and really straighten things out. This will help me to have a sustainable company," he said. He plans to eventually expand the site to other cities.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Danny Stull, founder Venturepax
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