About
Vayando is an online booking platform that connects curious travelers with micro-entrepreneurs in emerging economies around the world. We facilitate immersive experiences for travelers and income generating opportunities for entrepreneurs who have a marketable livelihood skill, trade, or micro-business but face significant obstacles capitalizing off of their experience. Our goal is to utilize growth and diversification in international travel to unlock economic opportunity for entrepreneurs towards the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid. Through field partners such as Peace Corps, Care International, and Rainforest Alliance, we identify entrepreneurs, create profiles for them, and promote them on our website. Travelers browse through offerings and book experiences with these entrepreneurs. Bookings are confirmed and managed through an integrated online and SMS based platform. Payment is made via mobile money. Entrepreneurs only need to be able to receive and send text messages.