The Founder’s Path
Hi, I’m Manish. By day, I’m a Product Owner in tech, but I’ve always been guided by a deep passion for health, wellbeing, and the transformative power of the outdoors.
In 2019, I founded OZ Outdoors, which grew from a weekend hobby into a thriving, top-rated community of over 2,800 members. After personally leading more than 300 hikes—from city trails to alpine summits—one thing became painfully clear:
The experiences we shared are magical. The tools we use to organize them are a mess.
We are still piecing together adventures with a disconnected stack of apps—Meetup for events, WhatsApp for chats, separate maps for navigation—none of which are truly built for the unique needs of outdoor communities. We are forcing technology to fit our world, instead of having a tool that understands it.
That’s why I’m building TrekMeet. It isn’t a business plan; it’s a deeply personal solution to a problem I live with every single hike. It’s the app I always wished existed, resting on three simple pillars:
- Intuitive Technology: Seamless planning and stress-free logistics, so you can focus on the trail, not the tech.
- Genuine Community: Tools designed to foster safety, trust, and a true sense of belonging.
- A Respect for Nature: A platform built with sustainability and environmental awareness at its core.
I believe the best technology doesn’t just connect us—it helps us grow. TrekMeet is being built with that belief at its very heart.
The Trail Ahead
Phase 1: The Foundation Q2 2025
Laying the groundwork with research, strategy, and community-focused design.
- Completed market research and competitor audit.
- Solidified the TrekMeet brand identity and core concept.
- Blueprinted the MVP architecture and user journeys.
- Secured domain, hosting, and launched the pre-launch site.
- Filed for Trademark protection with IP Australia.
- Established early community feedback channels.
- Finalized key UI mockups and design workflow.
Phase 2: MVP Build & Beta Q3 2025
Bringing the core features to life and preparing for early testing.
- Finalizing the technical architecture for scalability.
- Developing the initial Flutter prototype from Figma designs.
- Structuring the Firebase backend for real-time data.
- Safety Tools: Live location sharing & emergency call features.
- Member Profiles: Basic user profiles and a simple RSVP system.
- Event Engine: Group creation, event scheduling, and location tagging.
- Closed Beta Prep: Onboarding early testers to validate the experience.
Phase 3: Public Launch Q4 2025
Releasing to the world on iOS & Android with a focus on smart discovery and performance.
- App Store Release: Launch beta in select regions, starting with Australia.
- Smart Discovery: AI recommendations based on your hiking profile.
- Pro Tier: Testing basic payment options for event organizers.
- Engagement Tools: Launching community reviews and rating systems..
Phase 4: Scaling the Summit Q1 2026+
Building reach, deepening features, and establishing TrekMeet’s outdoor-first identity.
- Global Expansion: Rolling out to more regions worldwide.
- Pro Toolkit: Advanced analytics, team roles, and event templates.
- Effortless Migration: Tools to import communities from other platforms.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with ethical brands and local wellness groups.