This makes their offerings broader than those on similar sites, like Zozi and Kijubi, which mostly highlight sporty outdoor activities. Founded in 2010, RAVN has amassed over 15,000 things to do, which you can filter by who you’re bringing, how much it costs, and type – like relaxing or artsy. “RAVN is both a traveler’s companion and a local’s insider guide,” says Joe Frabotta, RAVN’s margeting guru. In fact, RAVN is constantly working to balance local and touristy activities, Frabotta says: RAVN learns to offer better recommendations when you click “want it” or “not interested” on suggested activities – for example, RAVN already knows that I like walking tours and food tastings. It’s also social: you can earn followers and get recommendations based on what they like. This makes RAVN similar to Spontaneous, although the latter doesn’t handle bookings. Businesses can list for free on RAVN, which also provides a platform for them to manage reservations and accept payments. This opens up opportunities for businesses that have never accepted online payments before. RAVN takes a commission of 5% on bookings (or lower for paid monthly plans). RAVN is currently available in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, and Honolulu, and it is coming soon to Boston, Washington, DC, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. To hear more from RAVN, join us at our Tech Cocktail San Francisco mixer tonight.
