Published: October 2024
Doopee Doo! Kickstart Their Tourism App Through the BetaDen Incubate Programme
Originating in Caerphilly in Wales, Doopee Doo! is a gamified discovery app that takes users on quests to explore local attractions, collecting rewards and digital loyalty cards along the way.
Aimed primarily at public sector venues like tourist attractions and council-run businesses, the app not only encourages tourism but also helps businesses gather valuable customer data. The reward system promotes local commerce by offering digital incentives for further exploration, which can be tracked to report economic contributions.
Challenge
At the start of the programme, Doopee Doo! had a promising product but no live launches. The main challenge was to refine its market focus, identify priority customer segments, and establish relationships with key stakeholders to drive adoption.
Doopee Doo! joined BetaDen to gain mentorship, industry connections, and the strategic guidance needed to bring the app to market. The programme included one-to-one mentoring, peer collaboration, and introductions to potential clients.
Impact
1. Market Launch: Within two weeks of joining BetaDen Incubate, Doopee Doo! launched in Caerphilly, marking its first real-world deployment. The programme's support accelerated this process, turning an idea into a live product.
2. Strategic Partnerships: BetaDen introduced Doopee Doo! to Worcester City Council and Visit Worcestershire, opening doors for discussions to expand the app across the county. This was a significant step in building credibility and gaining traction in the public sector.
3. Refining the Value Proposition: A key turning point came when mentors asked, “Are you a vitamin or a painkiller?” This prompted the team to identify three distinct user groups:
- Local businesses would use the platform as a digital loyalty tool.
- Public sector bodies would use its data insights to improve infrastructures.
- Users can enjoy it as a fun, game-like experience whilst collecting real-life rewards.
This clarity helped Doopee Doo! prioritise its customer segments and tailor its messaging accordingly.
4. Mentorship and Peer Learning: The one-to-one mentoring sessions were invaluable, as was the camaraderie with other startups in the cohort. "We realised that we were sharing the same challenges and were able to help each other," said Phil, co-founder of Doopee Doo! "Particularly, I worked with other developers to solve technical issues together."
5. Future Growth and Investment: The programme’s connections have positioned Doopee Doo! to seek investors with links to tourism, including universities, councils, and government entities, to fuel further growth.
Conclusion
BetaDen’s 8-week incubator was instrumental in taking Doopee Doo! from an untested product to a viable solution in the market. The mentoring, connections, and insights gained helped shape the company’s strategy, enabling a successful launch and setting the stage for expansion.
“The most valuable resource from BetaDen was the mentorship and being surrounded by other businesses at the same stage,” Phil shared. “A big thank you to BetaDen for the introductions to people we wouldn't have met otherwise – the support has been invaluable.”
