Newark, Del. – It is now easier than ever before for Delaware visitors and residents to find nearby fun events and activities year-round.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Governor Carney joined the Delaware Tourism Office (Visit Delaware) and State Parks in announcing their new partnership with Geoswap, a location-based mobile application.

Geoswap was founded by students in the University of Delaware Horn Program in Entrepreneurship. It is a smartphone app that engages and entices users to visit locations and share their experiences by navigating them to events and activities in their proximity.

The new partnership adds geo pins branded with Visit Delaware and State Parks logos to the app. This will help visitors and residents identify must-visit locations and must-attend events, which will keep them engaged while in market.

“This partnership is a great example of how we can work together with entrepeneurs and higher education to the benefit of the state,” said Governor John Carney. “We’re using an innovative tool, developed by student entrepreneurs right here in Delaware, to showcase what Delaware has to offer. It promotes the state’s $3.1 billion tourism industry and highlights Delaware’s award-winning state parks.”

“The tourism landscape is constantly changing, which means the Delaware Tourism Office is always looking for innovative ways to reach consumers,” said Linda Parkowski, Delaware Tourism Director. “UD Horn Entrepreneurship has put ideas at DTO’s fingertips, including Geoswap, which will further share Delaware’s endless discoveries with visitors and residents.”

“Delaware State Parks and the Delaware Tourism Office are embracing the 21st Century,” said Ray Bivens, State Parks Director. “We are meeting people where they are – on their phones – and providing them easy to access information they can use to find fun.”

Jason Bamford, Jordan Gonzalez and Keith Doggett came up with the idea for Geoswap in the dorms at UD more than two years ago. The app will help people escape so-called FOMO (fear of missing out) by making sure they are aware if something great is happening right by them.

“High-quality, reliable information is essential to making Geoswap worthwhile for its users,” said Bamford. “By partnering with Visit Delaware and State Parks, we can ensure that here in the state. We have worked to create a viable product, and it’s very gratifying to have these state agencies get behind us and show their support in this way.”

The young company and its team have been steadily gaining momentum recently. Two weeks ago Geoswap came in first place at Hen Hatch and was awarded $21,000 in prize money. Geoswap was also a finalist last month at e-Fest, a celebration of student entrepreneurship hosted by the founder of Best Buy.

“The efforts of these young entrepreneurs are truly impressive,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware). “As Delaware Labor Secretary and now as a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I’ve seen how educational opportunities, like the ones provided at UD, can enable students to succeed in a competitive economy.”

“I continue to be impressed by the successes of our students in the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship, and Geoswap is another example of how our students’ work can benefit the people of Delaware,” said UD Provost Domenico Grasso. “We emphasize the importance of community engagement and innovative thinking with all of our students, and this latest partnership with the state is part of that continuing effort.”

“The success of the Geoswap team illustrates again how Horn Entrepreneurship is a resource for students and the community,” said Daniel Freeman, Director of UD Horn Program in Entrepreneurship. “Students gain necessary knowledge and experience, and local agencies, businesses and organizations have another place to turn for new talent and opportunities.”

Information from Visit Delaware and State Parks is available on Geoswap now. The app is free and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

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