The Guide Network

What The Guide Network does

The Guide Network is a vertically focused SaaS company that provides booking, operations management, payment processing, and client management software to outdoor guides, outfitters, and lodges. Founded in 2019 in Golden, Colorado by three college-student co-founders (Ethan Whitson, Brandon, and Bailey), the platform is custom-built in-house and designed directly with guide services across the country, with features tailored to the realities of the outdoor guiding industry such as guide-availability-tied online booking, multi-lodge room assignment, digital waiver integration, post-trip permit reporting, and built-in CC/ACH payment processing. The company serves 1,638 guides across the United States, with notable customers including Minturn Anglers, Irwin Guides, The Broadmoor, Iliamna River Lodge, and Great Bear Heli Skiing, spanning fly fishing, heli skiing, and mountain guiding verticals.

The product is delivered as a unified suite with a core booking management dashboard, an embeddable online booking website plugin, a Lodging Suite module for multi-property operators, and supporting modules for guide scheduling, customer portal access, analytics, and client database management. Pricing is structured as monthly subscriptions across four tiers: Independent Outfitter at $15/month for 1-3 guides, Small Outfitter at $50/month for 3-15 guides, Large Outfitter at $100/month for 15+ guides, and Lodging Suite at $150/month combining outfitter and lodging features; all tiers include 24/7 support and custom payment plans are available on request.

The go-to-market combines self-serve online signup with Calendly-based demos (product-led growth), inside sales via direct contact forms and phone outreach, and a partner-led motion anchored by Trout Unlimited, AFFTA, and Gray Peak Marketing. Distribution is domestic US only, with a 1-10 person headcount and a bootstrapped capital structure with no disclosed institutional funding. The company claims 100% customer retention and differentiates through vertical specialization, in-house configurability, and a community network that provides partnership opportunities and resources beyond the software itself.

Name

The Guide Network

Legal name

The Guide Network

Website

https://theguidenetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Hospitality Booking Software

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Booking Engines & Direct Web Booking (THALACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

White-Label Booking Engine Platforms (SaaS/Widget) (THALADAN), Rate/Inventory Distribution & Channel Booking Modules (THALADAM)

Keywords

• Outdoor booking software
• Guide management software
• Outfitter operations platform
• Lodge booking system
• Fly fishing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Golden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription - Independent Outfitter: Monthly subscription tier for operations with 1-3 guides. Includes online booking, client database, automated emails, scheduling texts, digital waivers, payment processing, and 24/7 support.
2. SaaS Subscription - Small Outfitter: Monthly subscription for operations with 3-15 guides. Includes business dashboards, guide scheduling, client invoicing, email/text notifications, and analytics.
3. SaaS Subscription - Large Outfitter: Monthly subscription for operations with 15+ guides. Unlimited employees with all features included.
4. SaaS Subscription - Lodging Suite: Top-tier subscription combining lodging suite and outfitter features including room/lodge availability, guest assignment, and lodging employee scheduling.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Guide Network provides a SaaS booking and operations management platform for outdoor guides, outfitters, and lodges. The platform includes online booking, guide scheduling, client database, digital waiver integration, payment processing (CC and ACH), permit reporting, customer portal, and analytics. Pricing is tiered monthly subscription based on operation size, from $15/month for independent guides up to $150/month for the Lodging Suite.

Product overview

The Guide Network offers a unified booking and operations software platform for outdoor guides, outfitters, and lodges. The core product is the Booking Software (booking management dashboard), which can be supplemented with the Online Booking plugin (website embed) and the Lodging Suite module (for multi-property operators). The platform includes integrated feature modules: Guide Dashboards for guide self-service, Customer Portal for client interactions, Digital Waiver Integration for paperwork, Payment Processing (CC/ACH), Permit Reporting for government compliance, Analytics for business insights, Guide Scheduling for staff management, and Client Database for customer relationship management. Pricing tiers range from Independent Outfitter ($15/month) through Large Outfitter ($100/month) to Lodging Suite ($150/month).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Booking Software Core booking and operations management software for guides, outfitters, and lodges. Provides dashboard-based booking management, guide scheduling, client management, payment processing, digital waivers, and analytics for outdoor guiding operations.
• Online Booking Website plugin that enables customers to book trips online with real-time availability, supporting Instant Book or Request-to-Book modes, seasonal pricing, blackout dates, and buffer periods. Embeds on customer websites for direct bookings.
• Lodging Suite Multi-lodge and room availability management module for destination lodges, including guest room assignments, multi-day itineraries, custom lodging constraints, and lodging-specific employee scheduling. Combines full outfitter features with lodging operations management in a single subscription.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% Customer Retention
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading non-profit in fly fishing dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation. Partnership supports the outdoor guiding industry's commitment to conservation and sustainable practices.
• AFFTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit focused on sustainability and the growth of the fly fishing industry as a whole. Supports industry-wide standards and practices.
• RiversmithminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry leading manufacturer of rod racks for fly fishing rods. Complementary product provider in the fly fishing ecosystem.
• Cross Current InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier insurance provider for guides and outfitters. Partnership provides value-add to customers needing insurance coverage.
• Gray Peak MarketingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides digital marketing services to guides, outfitters, and lodges. Strategic marketing partnership to help customers grow their digital presence.
• CatchflominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreates fishy apparel for trout and fishing enthusiasts. Brand partnership supporting the outdoor fishing community.
• Gear RestoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecializes in sustainable gear restoration for businesses of all sizes. Sustainability-focused partnership supporting circular economy in outdoor industry.
• MRC PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Geographic filmmaker and photographer with focus on nature and wildlife. Content partnership for high-quality visual storytelling.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mews: Cloud-based property management system for hotels and hospitality operators. Relevant as a broad incumbent in hospitality booking and operations tech that may expand into the lodge segment.
• Cloudbeds: Hospitality management platform serving hotels, hostels, and lodging properties. Overlaps with The Guide Network's Lodging Suite on multi-property management and booking, though broader in scope.

Direct peers

• Xola: Booking and marketing software for tours, activities, and experiences. Competes with The Guide Network on online booking, payment processing, and marketing automation for tour operators.
• Bokun: Booking and distribution platform for tour operators and activity providers, owned by Tripadvisor. Competes head-to-head with The Guide Network on booking engine, channel manager, and payment processing.
• Peek Pro: Booking and operations software for tours, activities, and rentals. Targets the same SMB outfitter and guide customer base with online booking, payments, and channel management features.
• Rezdy: Booking software and distribution platform for tour and activity operators globally. Competes on online booking, agent distribution, and operational management for guided experiences.
• FareHarbor: Booking-engine and operations platform for tours, activities, and attractions, owned by Booking Holdings. Directly competes with The Guide Network for outdoor guide and outfitter bookings but serves a much broader activity vertical.
• Checkfront: Online booking and reservation management software for tours, activities, and rentals. Direct competitor in the outdoor guide and outfitter space with similar tiered SaaS pricing.
• Regiondo: Booking system and marketplace for tours, activities, and attractions. Provides reservation, payment, and ticketing solutions directly comparable to The Guide Network's offering.

Emerging players

• Karmik Pro: Rental software focused on outdoor rental businesses. Already a technology partner of The Guide Network and addresses an adjacent outdoor-industry vertical (gear rentals vs. guide services).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/theguidenetwork
• Xx.com/TheGuideNetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/theguidenetwork1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-guide-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Guide Network