Shark Tank Update: Trippie App’s Journey After Appearing on the Show

Introduced by entrepreneur Ryan Diew during season 9 of Shark Tank, the Trippie app is designed to streamline airport navigation for travelers.

Despite Diew’s unsuccessful pitch for funding, the exposure from Shark Tank significantly elevated the profile of Trippie and provided him with valuable critique, enabling further development of his concept.

Since that time, Trippie has broadened its reach to include additional airports globally and has amassed a larger group of users, although it continues to encounter challenges as well as opportunities for growth.

The Evolution of Trippie Post-Shark Tank

After his Shark Tank appearance, even without securing funding, Diew benefited from a surge of interest in the Trippie app due to the national spotlight it received.

Diew has since upgraded Trippie, expanding its services to include 22 airports, predominantly in the U.S., which represents around 82% of airport traffic.

While the COVID-19 pandemic briefly hindered Trippie’s growth, the app continues to operate, offering enhanced features like interactive maps that guide users to restaurants, coffee shops, and various amenities.

Under Diew’s leadership, Trippie’s advancement reflects his dedication to transforming it into an essential resource for travelers.

His long-term objective involves evolving Trippie’s toolkit for indoor navigation and possibly extending its compatibility to Android, thus broadening user access beyond the Apple ecosystem.

Initial Concept and Shark Tank Presentation

Ryan Diew, a former college basketball player, launched Trippie to facilitate smoother navigation in major airports by helping users discover dining options and other facilities. During his pitch on Shark Tank, Diew sought $100,000 in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in his company.

Using a burrito as a prop, he showcased the app’s ability to assist passengers in quickly finding eateries in bustling airports. However, a mishap with the food led to a brief choking incident that interrupted his presentation.

While Diew’s enthusiasm and idea grabbed the Sharks’ attention, the pitch ultimately revealed that Trippie was still in its infancy, featuring only four airports and around 170 users.

The limited scope paired with Diew’s lack of experience in app development prompted the Sharks to decline his investment request.

Although the Sharks acknowledged his ambition, they deemed it too early to invest and generously offered feedback to help Diew enhance Trippie’s functionality.

The Impact of Shark Tank on Trippie’s Future

Even without direct funding, Diew’s experience on Shark Tank proved transformative for him and Trippie. The notoriety gained from the show led to increased visibility for the app, drawing in new users and media interest.

Diew’s determination to expand Trippie resulted in a greater number of airports serviced and improved app functions, such as interactive maps, enhancing usability for travelers.

In a conversation with Business 2 Community on October 13, 2024, Diew reiterated his commitment to evolving the app and developing features aimed at enriching the traveler experience.

He underscored the significance of indoor navigation within airports, suggesting that introducing an Android version could greatly expand Trippie’s reach and user engagement.

Diew’s Journey Beyond Shark Tank

While remaining focused on Trippie, Diew has also broadened his professional endeavors. In addition to being the founder and CEO of Trippie, he is involved with Base Ventures, a venture capital firm based in California, acting as a principal and entrepreneur in residence.

This role aligns with the vision he expressed in his Shark Tank pitch, focusing not only on product creation but also on cultivating innovative ideas.

With an optimistic outlook, Diew believes in Trippie’s potential to become an invaluable resource for global travelers navigating through airports.

Catch the next episode of Shark Tank, airing on November 1.

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