Seeets, the Charlottetown startup that operates a web-based rideshare service in the Maritimes, is setting its sights on an expansion into Ontario later this year after improving its existing service.

Seeets is the operator of Maritime Rideshare, an online marketplace that matches people driving between Maritime cities with people looking for a lift. The service has been in existence for almost a year and a half and its co-founders recently completed the Launch36 accelerator, during which they focused on an expansion strategy and ways to improve the service.

“Throughout Launch36, a lot of what we’ve been doing is thinking about how to proceed,” said Principal Aaron Lewis in an interview. “We have a plan now in terms of how we’re going to grow going forward.”

The journey has not been an easy one. It began when Islanders Scott Gallant and Nathalie Arsenault during a December 2011 bus strike launched a website that allowed people to post either where they needed a lift to or where they were driving. Lewis joined them, the site caught on and they had about 1000 users by last summer. Then they were accepted into Launch36.

Lewis and Arsenault were aware at the time that Gallant was also working on another project, called WP Status, which provides support for people who oversee websites using WordPress. By October, Gallant decided to pursue the new company and left Seeets.

Lewis said that the main problem with Gallant’s departure was the “outside perception” more than real problem with the business, but he and Arsenault focused on the task of improving and expanding their business.

They are now working on such enhancements as improving the experience for the drivers. They’re working on a scheme that would allow the driver to drive on and receive a partial payment if the rider doesn’t show up within 10 minutes of the agreed time.  

To increase registrations, they want to make visitors to their site register before scanning the rides.

Lewis said he and Arsenault now plan to enhance the business in the Maritimes for the next few months. Then they want to move into Ontario, probably in early autumn, which could be one of the most attractive markets in North America. It’s a market with several universities, and students and other young people traveling regularly between the major cities.

He said there is now only one other competitor in Canada, and that is an operation in Quebec. He believes the English Canadian market is open for expansion by Seeets. In fact, the company sees room for expansion through most of North America, with New York being the big prize.

The company is now looking for about $300,000 in investment and has spoken to a few potential investors.