What happens when you mix visionary founders, a dash of drama, and a panel of world-class business titans? You get another exhilarating episode of Go Fund Yourself, the hit entrepreneurial reality show where innovation meets entertainment, and dreams get a shot at real investment.
On October 23, 2025, Go Fund Yourself delivered one of its most dynamic matchups yet. Two wildly different startups, Ecuatoriana Airlines and Tropos AR, stepped onto the stage to pitch their bold ideas. One promised to reunite a nation through the skies; the other aimed to turn every city street into a digital playground.
Ecuatoriana: Rebuilding an Airline, Reconnecting a Nation
It’s not every day that an airline takes center stage on an investment show, but Ecuatoriana isn’t your typical airline. Once the pride of Ecuadorian aviation, the brand is making a high-altitude comeback with a modern, community-backed twist.
Led by a passionate team determined to restore Ecuador’s flagship carrier, Ecuatoriana is positioning itself as more than just an airline, it’s a movement. The company’s vision? Affordable, locally focused flights that bridge Ecuador’s cities, families, and cultures, while inviting the public to become literal stakeholders in its success.
On Go Fund Yourself, the founders shared their heartfelt mission to create “a national airline by the people, for the people.” The approach resonated deeply with viewers, and with the show’s Titans, who understand that aviation is as much about emotion as it is about economics.
In a world dominated by mega-carriers and hidden fees, Ecuatoriana is returning to something more personal: service with heart, national pride, and community ownership. The founders highlighted how the new airline will use innovative financing, sustainability initiatives, and modern fleets to keep fares accessible while offering a superior travel experience.
The audience response was electric. As one Titan put it, “You’re not just reviving an airline — you’re reviving a dream.” Learn more here.
Tropos AR: When Every Street Becomes a Story
If Ecuatoriana lifted the audience’s hearts, Tropos AR blew their minds. Founded by Sven Franken, Tropos is an augmented-reality (AR) powerhouse redefining how we interact with the physical world. Its mobile-first SDK (software development kit) allows brands, museums, and cities to create interactive, location-based experiences directly within their own apps, no headsets required.
Imagine pointing your phone at a historic building and watching its past come alive in 3D. Or exploring a city where murals, monuments, and shopfronts tell stories that blend art, culture, and commerce. That’s the world Tropos is building, a bridge between the real and digital that empowers organizations to own their AR experiences and their customer data.
On Go Fund Yourself, Franken explained how Tropos democratizes AR development for partners in tourism, entertainment, and retail. The SDK’s versatility and data-ownership model caught the attention of the Titans, who noted that the technology could “redefine audience engagement for an entire generation.”
The presentation sparked a flurry of excitement, not only for its innovation but for its practical applications. From interactive museum tours to immersive fan experiences in sports arenas, Tropos is turning the abstract promise of the “metaverse” into something tangible, profitable, and downright fun.
Learn more about investing at Tropos AR.
Why Go Fund Yourself Hits Different
Each week, Go Fund Yourself proves that business television can be both inspirational and wildly entertaining. Unlike traditional pitch shows, this one fuses startup storytelling with community crowdfunding, giving viewers a chance to invest in real time through platforms like Wefunder.
With Titans Rory Cutaia, Jayson Waller, and David Meltzer offering high-energy insight and candid feedback, the show continues to redefine what entrepreneurial entertainment looks like. Episode 12 was a perfect example: one company reconnecting a nation through the skies, the other reimagining reality itself.
As the credits rolled, one thing was clear: Go Fund Yourself isn’t just about funding startups. It’s about funding possibilities.
Catch the replay of Episode 12 on Cheddar TV and join the movement to back bold ideas.
You can also apply to pitch here.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.
