Gregg Bleakney ’98
Seasoned Young Travelers Offer New Website for Globe Trotters

In just a little over two years after graduating, Gregg Bleakney, a 1998 psychology major, has made great strides in carving out a niche in the Internet travel business. Bleakney is the CEO and cofounder of Wherenext.com, an online travel guide, recently listed in dbusiness.com’s “Portland’s Top Fifty to Watch.”

During college, Bleakney’s travels in Europe competing in track circuits already were helping him make discoveries that would prove useful later when his idea for an Internet company turned serious. First, he found that contacts made in competitions could result in corporate sponsorship and advancement, and second, he became aware of the communication and information values of the Internet.

But it was Bleakney’s growing frustration with travel guidebook information that either was out of date or just plain inaccurate that proved to be the impetus for his business idea. By the end of his senior year in 1998, he was ready to do something about it. “The idea came in spring term to blend the Internet with a travel resource,” says Bleakney.

Bleakney had the opportunity to think seriously about implementing his idea when he injured his knee competing in track at the USA Nationals in New Orleans. He returned to Eugene for rehabilitation and began talking with specific friends about his idea. By March 1999, Bleakney and four business partners had their first round of funding. One year later on March 10, 2000—with $400,000 in seed funding from thirteen investors—WhereNext officially launched into the competitive world of dot-com businesses.

All UO alumni, the company founders include CAS graduates Bleakney and Andrew Johnston ’98, vice president of business development; journalism school graduates Kaarin Knudson ’99 (double major with fine arts), editor-in-chief, and Anne Rothlisberger ’98, marketing director; and fine arts graduate Chris Nelson ’98, creative director. All five founders are connected by histories in track and field; they collectively hold six NCAA awards, says Bleakney. All five individually traveled in Europe prior to starting WhereNext, and Rothlisberger actually lived overseas for five years. Most important, all five shared the desire to own a business. Bleakney says they all have entrepreneurial tendencies. His started as a kid when he sold petrified wood at neighborhood lemonade stands. He moved into tropical fish breeding and sales to local pet stores. During college, Bleakney dabbled first in his own auto detailing business, then in a t-shirt company.

Bleakney and his co-founders designed WhereNext for adventurous, dollar-conscious travelers in the 18 to 34-year-old range. However, the site provides
a range of travel information interesting to the young at heart as well. The philosophy driving WhereNext results in reviews of events, distinctive experiences and affordable accommodations, rather than more conventional reviews of eateries. “The last thing young travelers look at is restaurants,” says Bleakney. “We can tell you where to rent roller blades in Paris. It’s the unique things that truly are memorable on a trip.” While the focus now is on European travel, Bleakney hopes soon to include destinations in Australia and Asia.

WhereNext staff work long hours to provide constantly updated information, which Bleakney says gives them the edge against the closest competition. While other online travel sites provide video clips, WhereNext provides “been there, done that” reviews on accommodations and eclectic experiences. Growing interest in the site is resulting in visitor feedback. “We’re starting to get a user and member base. Version 2.0 of the site is the next stage,” Bleakney says. His vision for WhereNext includes database capability for customers to input personal interest profiles and in return receive a customized travel guide. Eventually, that information will evolve from print format to Palm Pilot-type download technology. In addition, partnered third-party vendors may target relevant products to customers based on the individual profiles. Bleakney sees the real profit from WhereNext stemming from such expanded services. The company now seeks investors with like-minded vision, contacts and capital to complement that growth.

When asked for advice on starting a dot-com business, Bleakney’s enthusiasm is tempered by the reality of owning a company. “Go for it! It will be one of the most valuable experiences of your life, but be prepared to give everything to it.”