INDI, a matchmaking system for authentic experiences with locals
INDI is an app that uses an advanced matchmaking system to analyse the entire platform and suggest guides that best match the interests of explorers. Once the most compatible Indi – the local guide with the strongest affinities – is identified, users can book visits with an expert and highly compatible guide who will enhance the experience in a way only a true local can.
“During a business trip, I realised how challenging it was to truly connect with locals and experience authenticity beyond the usual tourist paths. When I shared my idea with Fabio De Martino, Stefania Ingannamorte, and Luca Bernasconi, their enthusiasm and expertise gave the project even more strength and clarity. Together, we created INDI, a platform that connects people through their stories, passions, and a desire to explore the world authentically and humanely,” says Luca Di Pierro, who co-founded INDI.
Thus, in 2022, the first community designed to connect people and stories across more than 50 countries, including Italy, Germany, Japan, the USA, Spain, and Indonesia, was founded. The app features a global map and a variety of personalized filters through which each traveller can immerse themselves in local cultures and avoid the most beaten tourist tracks. The idea behind INDI is to offer explorers the chance to visit places alongside those who live there daily – the locals – based on shared passions and interests.
INDI was designed to meet the evolving needs of travellers, as well as to support all players in the tourism industry. It serves as a strategic partner for companies and agencies looking to meet the growing demand for slow tourism and social tourism, using innovative matchmaking technology to generate authentic, tailor-made experiences.
Moreover, digital creators benefit from this platform as well. INDI is not just a connection platform: it is an environment that enhances shared stories, creating a space where both hosts and travellers enrich each other through meaningful encounters. In this context of authentic bonds, creators can monetise their experiences by offering their communities unique moments. The community becomes the heart of it all: a virtual space that turns real, where creativity and authenticity come together to create inspiring and lasting connections.
Be You and INDI’s first international roadshow
To mark the launch of INDI, the startup unveils its first campaign “Be You”. In an era in which trends often push people to conform to lifestyles that don’t always match their true selves, INDI goes against the grain, encouraging individuals to explore the world by celebrating its most authentic aspects. “Be You” is a tribute to self-expression through travel, an opportunity for personal growth through encounters with the unknown.
In 2025, INDI will embark on its first international roadshow, bringing its vision of travel as self-expression and cultural discovery to major European cities. Following its debut in Italy, with stops in Naples and Milan this February, the roadshow will soon expand to London, Paris and Barcelona. At each stop, INDI will host exclusive gatherings where local communities can connect, share experiences, and discover the app first hand. These events will offer a glimpse into a new way of exploring the world, one that embraces individuality, spontaneity and meaningful connections.
“We believe that travel opens doors to infinite possibilities. We are convinced that only by exploring alongside locals we can truly understand the world around us. Through this type of journey, each of us can embark on a personal growth path that enriches and offers new perspectives and horizons. But it’s not just that: travel also satisfies our innate desire for knowledge and curiosity, allowing us to meet others, exchange experiences, build authentic connections, and rediscover the essence of things. On this journey, we learn to slow down, open ourselves to the opportunities each city offers, and embrace the richness of every encounter”, concludes Luca Di Pierro, CEO and co-founder of INDI.