My Once and Future Travel Buddy: M.G. Siegler Speaks With Gowalla Founder & CEO Josh Williams

TL;DR

Gowalla, a pioneering location-based service, is being resurrected to create an immersive augmented reality experience blending social media and maps, inspired by the advancements in camera technology and computer vision, with a focus on design-centricity.

Transcript

josh how are you doing good good afternoon it's good to catch up it's you and i have known each other for a long time you sort of rose to prominence within the tech community for a startup back in the day uh gowalla which was one of sort of the early location uh sort of pioneers some people may recall uh and i actually reported on it back in the da... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 The founders believe that the advancements in camera technology and augmented reality have created an opportunity to build something interesting, combining real-world interactions and user-generated information about local places.
• 👶 The nostalgia associated with Gowalla and its previously successful product provides a foundation for the new venture.
• 👤 Design remains an essential aspect of Gowalla, both in terms of aesthetics and the exploration of user interfaces in augmented reality.
• 😤 The startup aims to create a distributed team to attract the best talent, embracing the changing dynamics and possibilities of remote work.
• 🎁 The resurgence of interest in locations beyond Silicon Valley, such as Austin and Miami, presents opportunities for increased investment and startup ecosystems.
• 💗 The founders acknowledge that the social media landscape has grown beyond traditional models, with a focus on creator-driven business models and alternative monetization strategies.
• 👶 Fundraising dynamics have changed, with more enthusiasm and a broader ecosystem for building new and impactful startups.
• 👥 The team plans to launch a private beta of the new Gowalla in the summer months, encouraging users to join the waitlist and express interest in specific cities or regions.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it a good time to bring back Gowalla now?

With advancements in camera technology and augmented reality, combined with the pent-up energy from COVID-19, there is an opportunity to create an immersive augmented reality experience that welcomes people back into the real world.

Q: How does the reimagined Gowalla differentiate itself from other social media platforms?

The founders believe in creating an optimistic view of the future, inspired by brands like Tesla and SpaceX, while also incorporating the nostalgia and good feelings associated with the original Gowalla brand. They aim to blend real-world interactions, user-generated information about local places, and augmented reality to create a unique social experience.

Q: What role does design play in the new Gowalla?

Design is still a crucial aspect of Gowalla, but the focus has shifted from being a differentiator in itself to ensuring that the perception of design, both online and in the real world, aligns with the brand's values. Additionally, Gowalla aims to explore the uncharted territory of user interfaces in three-dimensional augmented reality space.

Q: What is the current stage of development for the new Gowalla?

The founders have started by launching a street team app for hardcore users to curate information about local places. They have already received overwhelming support, with close to 15,000 places added. They are now working on building features and refining the augmented reality experience before a larger launch.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Gowalla, an early location service pioneer, rose to prominence in the tech community before being sunsetted due to the rise of Instagram and Snapchat.

• Now, with the advancements in camera technology and augmented reality, combined with the pent-up energy from COVID-19, it is the perfect time to bring back Gowalla.

• The founders aim to create a new experience that blends real-world interactions, user-generated information about local places, and augmented reality, with a focus on design and building a distributed team.