The Launch of HearHere: A New Audio Road Trip Experience

Woody Sears, a long-time enthusiast of narrative, initiated his entrepreneurial journey in 2007 with the advent of the first iPhone. He subsequently established Zuuka, an application dedicated to storytelling, which amassed a collection of narrated and visually illustrated books designed for iPhone and iPad users.

Sears eventually transferred ownership of that enterprise to a smaller firm situated in New York. However, his passion for storytelling remains undiminished. He has recently secured $1.6 million in pre-seed funding for HearHere, his latest venture – a subscription-based audio application tailored for road trips. This innovative app, with user consent, delivers informative content while driving, presenting concise segments of three to five minutes detailing the surrounding areas and highlighting points of interest that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Uncovering Regional History and Captivating Travelers

The core concept revolves around bringing to light the often-overlooked or forgotten histories of various regions. This approach resonates particularly well in an era witnessing a resurgence in road trips and a growing need for parents to divert their children’s attention from platforms like TikTok. Notably, Sears’s neighbor, Kevin Costner, was sufficiently impressed by the concept to join the five-person team as a co-founder, narrator, and investor.

Additional investors include Snap Inc., the legal firm Cooley, Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and a reality television personality, AAA, and a multitude of individual investors originating from NextGen Venture Partners.

Driven by a shared interest in history, road trips, and the involvement of Kevin Costner, we engaged in a conversation with Sears and Costner to understand their confidence in HearHere’s potential for success, particularly given the challenges faced by other geo-location based content apps.

The following are excerpts from that discussion, lightly edited for brevity.

Content and Process

TC: Could you provide an estimate of the number of stories currently available within your audio map of the U.S.?

WS: Currently, we have 5,500 stories spanning 22 states, with plans for nationwide coverage by summer. Our primary goal is to connect travelers with the locations they are passing through, offering narratives about the history, natural beauty, and notable individuals associated with those areas. We also incorporate stories related to sports, music, and local insights.

TC: Gathering, refining, and recording such a substantial amount of content must be a complex undertaking. Could you describe the workflow?

WS: Content is paramount, and we dedicate significant attention to the quality of these stories. A team of 22 researchers, writers, editors, and narrators, many with backgrounds in travel journalism, contribute to the production process. We believe this collaborative approach yields the best results.

We intend to eventually incorporate third-party content contributors, hosting both professionally produced and user-generated material.

AI and Future Development

TC: Is artificial intelligence currently integrated into the app, or are there plans for its implementation?

WS: We currently view this as a form of augmented reality, where the stories enhance the travel experience by providing a new perspective on the landscape. However, we anticipate incorporating AI and machine learning as we expand into foreign languages and refine content personalization for individual users.

Story Prioritization and Subscription Model

TC: What criteria guide your decisions regarding which stories to prioritize as you expand your content library?

WS: Major historical landmarks serve as a significant source of inspiration. However, we also actively seek out lesser-known gems and analyze travel patterns – specifically, the routes taken by leisure travelers, including interstate highways and popular scenic routes.

TC: How does the subscription model function?

WS: Users receive five complimentary stories each month. Unlimited streaming access is available for an annual fee of $35.99.

Kevin Costner’s Involvement

TC: Kevin, given the numerous startup proposals and investment opportunities you encounter, what specifically motivated your involvement with HearHere?

KC: Storytelling is naturally a core interest of mine, and that’s well-known. However, I do receive a considerable number of proposals.

HearHere was brought to my attention through my wife, who informed me that Woody had a concept he wished to discuss. Upon hearing her explanation, I immediately grasped the potential. The most appealing aspect for me is the power of storytelling and the opportunity to share compelling narratives about our country.

Our initial meeting involved Woody explaining the concept, which closely aligned with my lifelong habit of stopping at historical plaques across the country and reading about their significance – moments that often interrupt others’ journeys but captivate me. [Laughs.] It’s about taking the time to explore history and reflect while others in the car may be impatient.

This product represents an extension of that passion, allowing me to delve deeper into the history of the places I pass through, and potentially sparking curiosity among my fellow travelers.

TC: You have a deep appreciation for history.

KC: While HearHere encompasses more than just history, it was the historical aspect that initially resonated with me. It provided the foundation for my increased involvement, a better understanding of the company, and a desire to contribute to its founding.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning

TC: AAA and Camping World are among the company’s strategic investors. How do you envision them promoting the app, and what other partnerships have you established to reach potential users at the opportune moment?

WS: Camping World also owns Good Sam Club, the largest organization of RV owners globally. AAA boasts 57 million members in the U.S. Both organizations recognize this as a means to provide a service currently lacking for their audiences – a bridge to digital content. We are excited to introduce HearHere to their members and customers.

We have also forged partnerships with RV marketplaces such as Outdoorsy and RVshare, as well as the RV rental and sales company Cruise America. The RV market is currently experiencing significant growth.

Differentiating HearHere

TC: Several similar concepts have emerged in the past. Caterina Fake’s Findery and Detour, a startup founded by Groupon co-founder Andrew Mason, aimed to enhance location discovery but ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption. What factors lead you to believe HearHere will succeed?

WS: I greatly admired Detour. I thoroughly enjoyed both of those applications.

I believe Detour’s product-market fit was hindered by the limited scenarios in which it could be used and the competition for users’ time. We chose to focus on road trips because you have a captive audience; there are limited entertainment options while driving, unlike in a city where numerous possibilities exist. Additionally, Detour required a significant time commitment, whereas our app offers concise, on-demand content. We are not prescribing a specific route; we are simply surfacing stories based on your chosen path.