New Product for RaftUp Gives Boaters Reservations

RaftUp Technologies of Little Rock expects to introduce its new product, an online marketplace for outdoor recreation-related reservations and rentals, on Jan. 22 at the Little Rock Technology Park.

The marketplace will be integrated into the company’s namesake smartphone app, which offers an interactive map with marine-related information. Boaters can use the app while on the water to see points of interest, find locations during events, check the weather, post photos and videos, create events and like and share what other boaters post.

Businesses can also offer guided tours to their customers through the app, and the customers can share their location with the businesses in case they break down or get lost and need help.

In addition, the company is expanding all these features to other outdoor enthusiasts, so the app won’t be just for boaters, according to founder and CEO Corey Boelkens.

The app, available on Apple and Android devices, has about 16,000 users, and the company has 10 employees.

The app wasn’t free to users when it was first launched in 2016, but RaftUp’s business model has changed since then. Now, it makes money from more than 50 advertisers.

The company offers another product, its AdventureSafe public safety platform, a free service that allows app users to immediately share their real-time, GPS location with the appropriate first responders during emergencies.