STARTUP STAGE: Trotter wants to connect individuals through travel

So you’ve got the product, now how will you get lots of
customers?

To attract a large customer base, we will first leverage
targeted marketing campaigns to reach our ideal customers through social media,
search engines and industry specific platforms. Strategic partnerships and
collaborations with influencers using our “Connoisseurs” feature will also play
a key role in extending our reach. To encourage word-of-mouth promotion, we
will introduce customer referral programs with attractive incentives. 

Exceptional customer service will be a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring a
positive experience which we have already seen foster loyalty and encourages
recommendations. Additionally, we will focus on content marketing to build
brand awareness and establish ourselves as thought leaders in our industry. 

Lastly, listening to our users’ feedback, we are
continuously working on our product to provide the best possible experience and
enable our users to use our platform to connect with each other. We believe
this multifaceted approach will help us build a loyal customer base and drive
sustainable growth.

Tell us what process you’ve gone through to establish a
genuine need for your company and the size of the addressable market.

Trotter was born from both a personal need and the needs of
people we encountered while traveling. Initially, market analysis was conducted
through real-world interactions; as we shared the concept with more people, it
became increasingly evident that there was a clear want, need and a potential
gap in the market for us to address. 

As it got clearer that there was a demand for Trotter we
started analyzing industry trends, customer feedback and competitor offerings.
We engaged with potential users through surveys, interviews and focus groups
to understand their specific needs and challenges, ensuring that our product
addresses real problems rather than perceived ones. Additionally,
we tested our product concept through pilot programs and beta testing,
gathering user feedback and measuring engagement to refine our understanding of
the market need and validate our assumptions.

Next, we performed a detailed market analysis to estimate
the size of the addressable market. This included segmenting the market based
on demographics, geography, and industry verticals to gauge potential demand
which resulted in a £1.2 trillion addressable market. We also reviewed industry
reports and data from market research firms to validate our estimates and
ensure they align with broader trends.

How and when will you make money?

We plan to generate revenue through a multi-faceted
approach. We are implementing a subscription model with tiered plans offering
various levels of access and features, providing a steady stream of recurring
income. Additionally, we are adopting a freemium model, offering a basic
version of our product for free to attract a broad user base and then monetize
through in-app purchases and premium features. 

Strategic advertising and partnerships will also play a
role, as we collaborate with relevant brands to offer targeted advertising
opportunities within our platform. This will not only generate revenue but also
add value for our users through relevant promotions. 

Furthermore, with user consent, we plan to monetize valuable
data and insights by offering them to businesses interested in market trends
and consumer behavior. We have had the fortune of having made significant
revenue within our first month of launching our beta version, where we were
primarily focused on user acquisition and refining our product before fully
implementing our monetization strategies as we establish a strong market
presence.

What are the backgrounds and previous achievements of the
founding team?

The founding team of Trotter may surprise some as we are
both 23 years old and have recently graduated college in the summer of 2023
from Babson and Harvard. We founded Trotter while still in college but since
have had the opportunity of building a very strong and diverse leadership team
with impressive achievements, combining expertise in technology, business
strategy, and the travel industry. Each member contributes a unique perspective
that strengthens our ability to execute our vision.

How are you addressing diversity and inclusion within
your organization?

Diversity and inclusion come naturally to us at Trotter,
with our staff members coming from many different environments. As a travel and
lifestyle brand, we know that our best work comes from having experts from all
different genders and cultures, providing a wider outlook as well as a
different approach and perspective to our mission. Luckily for us, addressing a
lack of diversity and inclusion within Trotter has never been an issue. Although
we do not have a fully fledged out DEI programs and training yet as a new
start-up, we have always valued and seen the importance of diverse perspectives,
experiences and creating an equitable workplace.

What’s been the most difficult part of founding the
business so far?

The most difficult part of founding the business so far has
been navigating the complexities of market validation. Identifying a genuine
need in a competitive landscape and ensuring that our product truly resonates
with potential users has required extensive research, iteration and feedback.
Balancing this with the need to efficiently allocate resources while refining
our business model and building our brand has been challenging. 

Additionally, establishing credibility and gaining traction
in a crowded market has demanded significant effort in both strategic planning
and execution. Securing funding and forming key partnerships has also been
challenging, as we’ve needed to convincingly demonstrate our value proposition
and potential for growth. These challenges have tested our resilience, adaptability
and forced us to remain agile and innovative continuously exploring new
technologies and trends to keep Trotter at the cutting edge. 

Generally, travel startups face a fairly tough time
making an impact – so why are you going to be one of lucky ones?

We
believe our unique approach and niche positions us for success and allows us to
create our own luck. Our platform stands out by combining the best elements of
social media with personalized travel experiences, offering a distinctive value
that traditional travel services lack. We leverage advanced analytics to
understand user preferences and trends, ensuring our offerings evolve with
market demands. Our focus on building a strong, engaged community of travelers
encourages word-of-mouth marketing and fosters user loyalty.

We remain agile
and innovative, continuously exploring new technologies and trends to keep our
platform at the cutting edge. Exceptional customer experience is at the core of
our strategy, with an emphasis on intuitive design, reliable service and
excellent support. Additionally, we are forging strategic partnerships with key
players in the travel and technology sectors to expand our reach and enhance
our offerings. By focusing on these areas, we aim to differentiate ourselves,
build a loyal user base, and create a lasting impact in the travel industry.

A year from now, what state do you think your startup
will be in?

A year from now, we anticipate that our startup will be
well-established and positioned for significant growth. We expect to have built
a solid user base, with a growing number of engaged customers who are actively
using and benefiting from our product. Our initial monetization strategies will
be in place, generating revenue through subscriptions, in-app purchases and
strategic partnerships.

We plan to have refined our product based on user feedback
and market insights, leading to improved features and enhanced user experience.
Our brand will have gained recognition within the industry, supported by
successful marketing campaigns and positive user testimonials. Additionally, we
will have forged valuable partnerships and possibly explored new market
opportunities.

Overall, our focus will be on scaling operations, optimizing
our revenue streams and expanding our market presence to ensure sustained
growth and long-term success.

What is your end-game? (Going public, acquisition,
growing and staying private, etc.)

Our endgame is to grow and scale the company to become a
leading player in our industry while keeping our strategic options open. We aim
to build a strong, sustainable business with a solid market presence and a
loyal customer base. Our primary focus is on achieving significant growth and
profitability, which will provide us with the flexibility to pursue various
strategic paths.

One potential path is to explore acquisition opportunities
if a larger company sees value in integrating our technology and team into
their operations. Alternatively, if we achieve substantial market traction and
financial stability, going public could be an option to further accelerate our
growth and provide liquidity for our stakeholders.

Regardless of the route we choose, our goal is to create
long-term value for our customers, employees, and investors, ensuring that our
company remains innovative, relevant, and successful in the evolving
marketplace.