Case Study

Funki Adventures secures relief funding amid COVID-19 lockdowns

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Economic Incentive Consulting

ServiceEconomic Incentive Consulting

Founded in 2019, San Diego-based Funki Adventures was established to provide luxury overland camping experiences, all in one easy package. The company provides overlanding trips through an inventory of specialty vehicles for camping and off-roading trips, as well as customized trip plans.

COMPANY

CHALLENGE

As tourism from overseas severely declined during COVID-19 lockdowns, Funki Adventures struggled to maintain its usual customer flow. During this time, the company needed to access relief funding to sustain its business as it pivoted to provide safe tourism experiences for the domestic market.

As a single operator, owner Frank Cassidy wasn’t sure where to turn for support; applying to COVID-19 relief programs felt intimidating and he had trouble finding clear, accurate information on available funding.

EDC SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED

Through the Export Specialty Small Business Development Center at World Trade Center San Diego, EDC helped Funki Adventures find and apply for COVID-19 relief programs that would enable the business to stay afloat and pivot to focus on a domestic customer base.

Following a no-cost economic incentive consulting session and personal application assistance with EDC, Funki Adventures applied to receive the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant and a federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

VALUE DERIVED

Thanks to EDC’s consulting, Funki Adventures was awarded nearly $10,000 in relief funding through an EIDL and California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant.

The company’s EIDL, awarded just a few months after lockdowns started, helped Funki regain cash flow and market its business pivot to the domestic market. In early 2021, the company’s state relief grant funded ongoing marketing and enhanced cleaning equipment to keep Funki open and operating safely.

“As a business originally focused on catering to out-of-state and international tourists looking to adventure off-road in California, the assistance from EDC and the Export Specialty SBDC at World Trade Center helped me find the funding I needed to begin prioritizing local customers. EDC’s advisors offered prompt responses to any questions, with personal follow-up to ensure I had everything I needed.”

—Frank Cassidy, Founder and Owner, Funki Adventures

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