Questo, the innovative Romanian startup renowned for its gamified city exploration app, is launching a new funding round on SeedBlink. This round aims to scale Questo’s unique solution that enhances real-world travel experiences by integrating interactive storytelling and gamification.
On SeedBlink, investors and business angels can participate in this financing round, with a minimum investment of €2,500. The target amount for this round is €630,000, with co-investors such as the Early Games Venture and Sparking Capital.
In 2023, 200 million people participated in guided tours, yet nearly half preferred to explore independently. Additionally, 80 million people walk through cities each month playing games like Pokemon GO, seeking captivating stories and activities. Questo addresses this demand by offering gamified experiences based on personalized local stories, allowing users to explore at their own pace.
In an increasingly virtual world, Questo offers a gateway to authentic, real-world experiences. Encouraging people to step outside and build connections, Questo’s experiences are crafted by a community of over 30,000 amateur and professional storytellers globally, that generated over 500,000 participating users worldwide. Designed for sightseeing tours, romantic dates, family outings, or team-building activities, these experiences are enjoyed on foot, providing freedom and flexibility in city exploration.
Questo offers two primary quest types: Event Quests and Anytime Quests. Event Quests, perfect for larger groups and themed events, use GenAI to integrate elements from movies, books, anime, and games and are available worldwide at $40 per group. Conversely, Anytime Quests cater to couples, families, and small groups seeking spontaneous adventures at $10 per device.
The funds raised will be used to acquire IP rights for universal stories, facilitating Event Quests worldwide and expanding Questo’s reach. This investment will also support the development of new content, enhancing the platform’s offerings and user experience.
Questo was founded by a diverse team with complementary backgrounds. Claudiu Petria, Chief Operations Officer, has years of experience in advertising. Alex Govoreanu, Chief Executive Officer, is a second-time startup founder. The startup has been recognized by Deloitte in the 2023 Deloitte Fast 50 Ranking and awarded by UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) as the most innovative travel solution.
Alex Govoreanu, co-founder and CEO of Questo, said: “In a world that is becoming increasingly virtual, Questo has helped over 500,000 people step into the real world and create memories with their friends and family. Whether you want to travel, go on a date, or simply spend quality time in your city, Questo offers an experience to help you do just that. In the past 12 months, we’ve grown more than fivefold, and we have a future full of potential ahead of us. That’s why, together with SeedBlink, we’re launching a crowdfunding round for anyone who believes in Questo’s mission to turn the real world into a playground.”
Ionut Patrahau, Managing Partner at SeedBlink, added, “Questo exemplifies the type of innovative and impactful startup we are proud to support. Their unique approach to travel and exploration aligns with our goal of backing companies that have the potential to disrupt traditional markets and create new experiences.”
