# Matador Network

> Matador Network is a San Francisco-based travel media company founded in 2006 that publishes original stories, videos, and city guides for modern, adventure-minded travelers. Bootstrapped from an $11,000 start into one of the world's largest independent travel brands, its content reaches well over 100 million people a month across web and social. In 2023 it launched GuideGeek, a free OpenAI-powered travel assistant that answers questions inside Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, and now licenses white-label versions of that AI to tourism boards and destination marketing organizations worldwide.

- **Founded:** 2006
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founders:** Ross Borden (Co-Founder & CEO), Ben Polansky (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** ~90 employees
- **Products:** Matador Network (publication), Matador Studios, Matador Creators, GuideGeek
- **Notable:** Skift IDEA Awards 2025 - 'Best Use of AI' for GuideGeek, Grew from an $11,000 bootstrap into one of the largest independent travel media brands in the world, GuideGeek reached 1 million users within six months and surpassed 1.5 million

## Products & services

- **Matador Network (publication)** — Flagship travel media site publishing articles, city guides, and social-first content across travel, outdoor adventure, food, nightlife, and culture.
- **Matador Studios** — In-house video production team creating original travel films and branded series distributed on social, Roku, and ESPN.
- **Matador Creators** — Platform connecting a network of travel content creators with brands, campaigns, and press trips.
- **GuideGeek** — Free AI-powered travel assistant built on OpenAI technology, available in Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, plus white-label versions licensed to destination marketing organizations.

## Achievements

- Skift IDEA Awards 2025 - 'Best Use of AI' for GuideGeek
- Grew from an $11,000 bootstrap into one of the largest independent travel media brands in the world
- GuideGeek reached 1 million users within six months and surpassed 1.5 million
- Signed 70+ destination marketing organizations to white-label GuideGeek
- Reaches well over 100 million people per month across web and social
- Distributed original films through Roku and ESPN

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — GuideGeek named 'Best Use of AI' in Skift's 2025 IDEA Awards.
- **2024-02** — GuideGeek AI travel assistant expanded to Facebook Messenger, adding to Instagram and WhatsApp.
- **2024-07** — GuideGeek positioned as a custom-AI provider for the travel industry, surpassing 70 DMO clients.
- **2023-09** — CEO Ross Borden profiled by Forbes on how GuideGeek can forge human connections in travel.

## Links

- Website: https://matadornetwork.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matador-network
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MatadorNetwork
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/matadornetwork
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matadornetwork
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/matadornetwork
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matadornetwork

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/matador-network
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-14