Company description
Triptrotting is a global community where travelers can find like-minded locals (aka “Triptrotters”), based on similar interests, profession and personalities. Travelers can also ask questions and find the most relevant answers about their travel destination, provided by the locals.
MISSION
Connect people with similar interests from different corners of the world, who otherwise would have never met each other. "Connect online, create friendships offline."
MILESTONES
Triptrotting re-launched its site in May, 2011 with only 500 members, and by June 2011 already has thousands of users in 500+ cities across 100+ countries.
In January 2011, Triptrotting received seed funding from Bill Gross' Idealab, leading creator and operator of technology companies.
In May 2010, Triptrotting placed 2nd at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Seed Competition on the MBA level
Team
Triptrotting team speaks 12 languages, has been to over 50 countries and are the Dance Battle Champions on Xbox Kinect!
Aigerim Duiseneyeva is a world traveler and a true nomad. She was born and raised in Kazakhstan (country historically known for its nomad lifestyle) and moved to the US in 2003 for college. Aigerim graduated cum laude with B.S. in Business Administration, Finance and Global Strategy from University of Southern California Marshall School of Business in 2007, and joined UBS Investment Bank in New York. After finishing two years as an analyst at UBS, Aigerim decided to give back to the community that gave so much to her when she just moved to the States, and joined Teach For America 2009 Corps LA. As TFA corps, Aigerim taught high school students in South LA. While being a teacher, Aigerim decided to pursue her dream of starting a travel company, and in 2010 she and her business partner Shana launched Triptrotting.com (learn more http://www.linkedin.com/in/aigerim1)
Shana Zheng was born in mainland China and moved to the United States at the age of nine. She graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with B.S. in Business Administration, Finance and International Business, from the Marshall School of Business and B.S. in Accounting from the Leventhal School of Accounting. Shana started her corporate career at JPMorgan Securities’ Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Group in San Francisco where she focused on digital media and technology companies and then at the Walt Disney Company. Her passion in entrepreneurship, travel, and cultural exchange has led her to come back to Los Angeles and start Triptrotting. (Learn more at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shana-zheng/7/b61/53a)
Shawn Faison at an early age he found an interest in the Arts, Sciences, and Computers. He later attended VCU University in Virginia and Wingate University in North Carolina. Shawn has over 10 years of experience as a software engineer. Most recently a lead role at ValueClick Media. Prior to that he was a Senior Software Engineer and one of the first employees at BuzzMedia, where he created a distributed image service and BritneySpears.com. Shawn was also a software consultant at Universal Music Group. He is an active member of the open source community and has given talks on diverse topics such as programming, machine learning, and other fun topics. (Learn more at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shawn-faison/1/b95/190)