AnyCreek, a startup based in Memphis that streamlines access to guided fishing and hunting experiences with top-tier guides and outfitters, has announced the successful completion of a $1.8 million seed funding round. This new funding brings AnyCreek’s total investment to $3.3 million since its inception in 2022. The round saw continued support from Starting Line and other prominent angel investors, along with new contributions from Bridge Investments, LaunchTN, and others.
Since its launch, AnyCreek has developed a guide-focused platform that has enabled thousands of adventurers in 183 markets to effortlessly find, book, and pay for fishing and hunting trips with the best guides and outfitters in the industry, all while fostering a community of outdoor enthusiasts.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation economy represented 2.2 percent ($563.7 billion) of the nation’s current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey reported that Americans spent $144.8 billion on fishing and hunting in 2022, with $48.9 billion (34 percent) attributed to trip-related expenses.
With this new funding, AnyCreek plans to enhance its technology and expand into additional markets. Co-founder and CEO Benjamin Lazarov, who has previously driven significant business growth at companies like Compass, Groupon, and Zenefits, leads the company. Lazarov’s passion for the outdoor industry is a key differentiator for AnyCreek.
“We believe that humans in nature represent the best of human nature, and we have a profound respect for the businesses facilitating this connection,” said Lazarov. “It’s our mission to equip guides and outfitters with the latest technology to get more people outside. This funding will help us continue this momentum as we expand into additional markets and offerings.”
AnyCreek goes beyond the traditional marketplace model by offering a comprehensive suite of vertical SaaS tools designed specifically for guides and outfitters. These tools include calendar management, payments, referrals, easy guide assignments, SEO, marketing, customer communication, CRM, and 24/7 support.
“AnyCreek understands how I like to run my guide businesses and has built technology that helps me grow and save a ton of time,” said Capt. Scott Owens of Southeastern Angling in Saint Simons Island, GA. “From managing deposits to streamlining customer communication, the platform has given me back a ton of time that I now enjoy spending with my family versus the hours on the phone responding to inquiries after a long day on the water.”
AnyCreek’s platform not only caters to the evolving needs of guides and outfitters but also provides a modern booking experience for both novice and experienced adventurers in the digital era.
“With so many guides and outfitters offline, it can be challenging and intimidating to find great, local guides,” shared Nick Larson, co-founder and chief technology officer at AnyCreek. “Our platform is stress-tested by the best guides and outfitters and makes discovering, booking, and paying for high-quality hunting and fishing trips easy and convenient for any adventurer.”
AnyCreek’s experienced leadership team, with backgrounds at companies like Compass, Dropbox, and Costa, combines a proven track record of success with a strong commitment to the outdoor industry, aiming to capture significant market share.
“In today’s digitally-inclined landscape, AnyCreek strategically positions itself to capitalize on and cultivate consumers’ appetite for high-quality outdoor experiences, a growing industry where significant spending still occurs offline,” remarked Scott Holloway, general partner at Starting Line. “We take pride in supporting innovation that is shaping the future of the outdoor recreation sector.”
