Maps GPT

At Proxi, we envision a future where digital maps do more than just show locations—they connect people to meaningful experiences and communities in deeply personal ways. We are crafting a tech-enabled world where discovery is tailored, interactive, and driven by the stories that make places come alive.

Our platform harnesses the power of geospatial technology and user creativity to transform how people find and share local treasures, from hidden neighborhood gems to dynamic business ecosystems. We are shaping a future where every map tells a story, fosters connection, and fuels local economies through intelligent, customizable digital experiences.

Driven by our commitment to reimagine real-world connections, Proxi is building the infrastructure to empower communities and businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital-first landscape, making every place a destination worth exploring.

When we first heard about Proxi, we honestly thought it was just another mapping tool. Boy, were we wrong. This Seattle-based startup has managed to turn something as simple as creating maps into a genuinely engaging community-building platform that's both powerful and surprisingly fun to use.

The Halloween Map That Started It All

Here's what caught our attention: Proxi literally began with a Halloween trick-or-treat map that went viral in 2020. Co-founders Melinda Haughey and Chelsey Roney created it to help kids navigate their neighborhood, and suddenly everyone wanted to know how they did it. That organic, community-driven origin story tells you everything about why this platform works so well—it solves real problems people actually have.

The fact that they followed up with an equally successful Christmas lights map wasn't luck. It showed they'd tapped into something bigger: people's desire to share local knowledge and create meaningful connections through places.

No-Code Magic That Actually Works

We've tested plenty of "no-code" tools that still require a computer science degree to figure out. Proxi isn't one of them. The platform genuinely delivers on its promise of easy map creation—you can build custom, interactive maps with multimedia content in minutes, not hours.

What impressed us most was the white-label functionality. Businesses can create fully branded maps that embed seamlessly into their websites, complete with analytics and lead generation tools. It's the kind of feature set that typically costs thousands from enterprise software companies, but Proxi makes it accessible to small businesses and creators.

Beyond Simple Maps

The real cleverness lies in features like event passports and gamified challenges. We watched a local chamber of commerce use Proxi to create a "downtown discovery challenge" that actually drove foot traffic to member businesses. That's not just mapping—that's community engagement with measurable business impact.

With over 70,000 maps already created and $1.32 million in funding from solid investors like Madrona and Techstars, Proxi has the traction and resources to keep innovating. For anyone tired of generic Google Maps embeds, this feels like the future of location-based storytelling.