Get to know NextCorps incubation client, The Adventure Nexus, a platform designed to bring tabletop gamers together and foster real-world connections.

Based on an interview with Ian Gauger, CEO and founder of The Adventure Nexus

About The Adventure Nexus: Where Gamers Gather

The Adventure Nexus is a web-based community hub for tabletop gamers, both players and game masters, that aims to rekindle in-person gameplay and create deeper social connections. Co-founded by CEO Ian Gauger and CMO Will Moquin, the platform offers an online space for players to find games and for local game shops to host and advertise events, The Adventure Nexus enables people to step away from their screens and into a world of face-to-face adventures.

In a world where online gaming platforms such as Tabletop Simulator and Board Game Arena became prominent during the pandemic, The Adventure Nexus’s founders felt something was missing. “In some ways, playing online is nice,” says Ian Gauger, CEO of The Adventure Nexus. “But it still feels socially isolating. You might be playing a game with people, but you’re not seeing their faces. You’re not hearing them.” This drive to enhance the social aspects of gaming by creating a way to connect players in person is at the heart of The Adventure Nexus.

Taking inspiration from popular platforms like Airbnb and Uber, The Adventure Nexus uses a similar approach, but with a focus on tabletop gaming. The app helps users find games happening near them, schedule in-person sessions, and connect with like-minded players—all with the goal of encouraging more people to game in person.

Inspiration Behind the Adventure

Gauger’s vision for The Adventure Nexus is deeply rooted in his own experiences during the pandemic. After relocating from Rochester to Syracuse for his day job, Gauger found himself alone and unable to meet new people or play board games, which was a passion of his. “Typically, what I would do for fun is find people to get together and play board games,” he recalls. However, with social restrictions in place and local game shops closed, he turned to online platforms to find people to play with, which ultimately felt less satisfying.

From that experience, the idea for The Adventure Nexus was born. Initially, the app concept started as a platform similar to a dating app, where users could “swipe” on potential players to connect with. But after a period of brainstorming and feedback, Gauger and his team decided on a different approach: a map-based platform where players could discover nearby games, much like searching for accommodations on Airbnb.

After settling on the app’s format, the founders dedicated nearly a year to customer discovery, speaking with hundreds of gamers and dozens of local game stores to truly understand their needs. This hands-on research shaped The Adventure Nexus into a community-driven platform, offering an all-in-one space for scheduling games, finding events, and meeting fellow gamers in the local area.

Successes and Milestones: Gaining Traction in Upstate New York

The Adventure Nexus found a key investor in Chedy Hampson, a well-known figure in the gaming industry. Hampson, after selling his gaming company TCGplayer to eBay, saw the potential in The Adventure Nexus and provided funding to propel the platform forward. This partnership has allowed The Adventure Nexus to enhance its features, fix bugs, and ultimately work towards a full-scale launch.

Earlier this year, The Adventure Nexus launched its Minimum Viable Product (MVP), focusing on the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse regions to test and grow the user base. The platform quickly gained traction, with over 300 active users signing up to explore and provide feedback. Gauger highlights that this geo-locked launch was a strategic move to refine the platform and cater to its audience before expanding further.

Beyond his work with The Adventure Nexus, Gauger is also making strides in the local tech community. Recently elected to the Board of Directors for TechRochester, Gauger’s passion for fostering entrepreneurship and technology-based growth in the region is evident. His new role is a testament to his dedication not just to gaming but also to the broader tech and startup ecosystem in Upstate New York.

Tabletop Gaming: A Booming Market

Tabletop gaming is often perceived as niche, but the reality is quite the opposite. According to Gauger, the market is extensive and continually growing, with roughly one-third of Americans playing a board game within the last year and 10% having played within the past month. “There are people who are playing every night of the week,” says Gauger, sharing that enthusiasts may own hundreds, or even thousands, of board games.

Conventions like Essen Spiel in Germany, which drew nearly 200,000 attendees last year, and Gen Con in Indianapolis, with around 70,000 attendees annually, demonstrate the magnitude of the community. The Adventure Nexus aims to tap into this thriving market, providing an easy way for gamers to find local events and connect with others who share their passion.

Upstate New York is also home to some of the largest game stores in the country. Millennium Games in Henrietta, NY, boasts over 30,000 square feet of space, providing room for large tournaments and events. “People are driving from Pennsylvania and Ohio to come to play games at Millennium Games,” Gauger notes. This further supports the need for a dedicated platform like The Adventure Nexus to help gamers find events and communities they can be part of.

A Call to Action: Join the Adventure

For anyone who’s passionate about tabletop gaming, The Adventure Nexus is the place to start. The app is easy to access as a web-based platform, requiring no downloads and allowing users to sign in with their Google accounts. Currently, the platform is geo-locked to the Upstate New York area, but it welcomes all feedback as the team continues to refine the user experience.

Even if you’re not a gamer but are interested in technology, startups, or app development, Gauger encourages you to explore the platform and share your thoughts. “Something that’s so great about the Rochester tech community is people are really supportive. It’s a collaborative environment, not a competitive environment,” says Gauger. The Adventure Nexus team values feedback as they strive to build a strong, inclusive gaming community.

Ready to join the fun? Check out The Adventure Nexus app, find your next gaming session, and be part of a growing network of tabletop enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the world of tabletop games, The Adventure Nexus is your gateway to adventure.

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