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UR Guide: City Tours, Tailored for You

UR Guide is a personalized travel app that creates self-guided tours, connecting users with Detroit’s local culture, small businesses, and landmarks.
https://www.ur-guide.com/
January 5×5 Night at Start Garden
Voting Closes:

January 20, 2025 11:59 pm

About this idea
UR Guide is a dynamic travel app that transforms how people explore cities. Born from the founder’s frustration with impersonal, cookie-cutter tours, the app was designed for travelers seeking authentic experiences. It creates self-guided tours tailored to interests like Detroit’s Eastern Market, Corktown’s historic sites, or Midtown’s vibrant art scene. Interactive features, such as audio guides narrated by local experts and 3D tours of cultural landmarks, immerse users in the city’s stories and heritage. Unlike traditional apps, UR Guide integrates with Detroit’s People Mover, QLine, and MoGo bikes, offering sustainable travel options. It supports small businesses by directing users to unique shops, restaurants, and attractions, driving traffic to local economies. By starting in Detroit for its beta launch, UR Guide ties cutting-edge technology with community connection, empowering users to discover hidden gems while strengthening local culture.
Impact
UR Guide brings Detroit to life by helping travelers connect with its neighborhoods in a deeper, more meaningful way. Imagine discovering a hidden cafe in Corktown, shopping at a boutique in Midtown, or learning the stories behind Black-owned businesses on the Avenue of Fashion. By driving traffic to these places, the app supports local entrepreneurs and strengthens the city’s economy. With public transit options integrated into the app, exploring Detroit becomes not just easy but also eco-friendly. And it’s more than just finding cool spots—it’s about celebrating Detroit’s diversity. From the rich history of Mexicantown to the creativity that fuels Eastern Market, UR Guide highlights the voices and places that make this city unique. As it grows and expands to other locations, UR Guide will redefine what it means to explore a city, blending technology and community to give travelers an experience they’ll never forget.
What I'll do with $5,000
With $5,000, UR Guide will bring Detroit’s stories to life by upgrading our V.1 app to V.2. We will be adding enhanced features like audio guides from local storytellers and interactive tours of iconic landmarks such as the Detroit Institute of Arts and Motown Museum. These upgrades will immerse users in the app, making each tour feel personal and engaging.Specifically, the grant will be used for: Developing audio guides narrated by local storytellers. Creating 3D tours of key landmarks like the DIA and Motown Museum. Enhancing the app’s interface for seamless navigation and transit integration. Testing and refining new features to ensure an intuitive, enjoyable user experience. Completing and testing V.2 will position us to expand our reach to other cities, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Houston.
Quick Bio
UR Guide was founded by Greg Mays, an insurance adjuster whose work has taken him to cities across the country. A creative at heart, Greg is also a fashion designer, photographer, and music producer. His extensive travel experiences, paired with his passion for storytelling and innovation, inspired him to create UR Guide. Frustrated by the lack of personalized tools for discovering local culture and navigating new cities, Greg envisioned UR Guide as a way to bridge that gap—helping travelers connect with the unique stories and experiences that make each city special.
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