BC-made app launching in February to connect 'locals' with 'adventurers'

Jan 31 2018, 8:15 am

It’s no secret that BC is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

And a new app on the local market is meant to help connect those enthusiasts – whether they’re looking for guides or guests.

Set to launch in February, Yervana was created by Jim McGovern, a 30-year veteran of the investment industry as well as an active member of the local and international skiing community.

A “platform for personalized outdoor adventure,” Yervana connects outdoor enthusiasts with knowledgeable and insured locals for customized activities in British Columbia’s iconic Sea-to-Sky corridor located between Vancouver and Pemberton.

The idea for the app “came out of the frustration of trying to find local contacts to ski with some of his out of town friends.”

McGovern said he realized there was a need for an easy-to-use platform to connect outdoor explorers with adventurous locals who could show them the ropes.

Conversely, he also wanted a way for locals to be able to promote their skills, passions, and interests by offering experiences to as many interested people as possible.

“We’re all about the locals and trying to create a platform to show people their backyard,” he said.

Now, after a year-and-a-half of validating his thesis, developing the technology and beta-testing, Yervana was born. The company also now has an office in downtown Vancouver.

‘We’re positioning ourselves differently,” McGovern told Daily Hive. “We’re not destructive – we’re collaborative. We want to work with the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the community.”

“People today are all about connections and community, they’re more interested in work-life balance, which is really powerful,” said McGovern. “They’re using technology to get away from the traditional model so you can get what you want, instead of what corporations want you to have.”

Yervana, he explained, “is part of a larger movement. It’s a way for people to turn something they love into a community.”

The app, McGovern said, “is designed to take the research out of getting away from work, ensuring that you get that personalized outdoor adventure.”

How it works

The Yervana App is available for free on iOS devices.

Once an “Explorer” has downloaded the app, they can search, discover, and pay for personalized outings with qualified “Locals,” each of whom offers one-of-a-kind experiences you can’t find anywhere else.

“I want to own the personal outdoor experience,” said McGovern.

“As Yervana’s roster of Locals continues to grow, activities such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, climbing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing will be added to the platform,” the company said in a statement.

On the flip side, as the number of adventures grows, Yervana’s in-App blog will offer advice and a wealth of suggestions, destinations, and local spotlights.

And while the app hasn’t officially launched yet, McGovern said early feedback on the app has “already been so positive.”

Check out Yervana for yourself online.

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Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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