Every city has a soul. We help you find it.
Deeplay is a marketplace for platonic social companionship. We connect Explorers with verified local Companions for real activities — coffee, city walks, meals, events — shared with someone who genuinely knows the place they live.
地陪
dìpéi
The name behind the brand
A word that became a mission.
Deeplay is drawn from the Chinese word 地陪 (dìpéi) — it literally translates to “local companion.” In Chinese travel culture, a 地陪 isn't a formal tour guide. They're a local who knows their city inside out and shares it with warmth and personality.
A 地陪 shows you the hidden laneways, the cafe that doesn't appear on Google, the park where locals actually go on a Saturday morning. It's personal. It's real. And it's exactly what we built Deeplay to deliver.
We didn't just borrow a word — we built an entire platform around what it means.
Why Deeplay exists
Built from a feeling everyone knows.
You land in a new city. You're excited — the skyline, the food, the energy. Then it hits you. You don't know anyone. The tourist guides all recommend the same ten spots. Maps give you directions, but they can't give you company.
Our founder felt this when he moved to Sydney. He wasn't looking for a tour. He was looking for a person — someone who could say, “Forget that overrated place, let me take you somewhere better.” Someone to share a meal with. Someone to explore with. A local friend, even if just for an afternoon.
That person didn't exist in any app. So he built it.
“I didn't want a guided tour. I wanted a local friend who could show me the real city. That's what Deeplay is.”
What we stand for
Our values.
These aren't words on a wall. They're the standards every Companion, Explorer and team member is held to.
Authenticity
Every experience on Deeplay is real. Real people, real places, real conversations. No scripts, no tourist traps — just genuine local knowledge shared freely.
Safety & trust
Every Companion passes ID verification and admin approval before going live. Protected on-platform payments, clear community standards, and a dedicated support team.
Community
Our Companions are passionate locals, not employees. They share their city because they love it. We nurture a community built on mutual respect and shared experiences.
Inclusion
Deeplay welcomes everyone — international students, travellers, solo explorers, locals wanting to meet new people. Every background. Every story. Everyone belongs here.
Our safety commitments
Platonic by design. Protected by default.
Deeplay is strictly a platonic social marketplace. We set clear boundaries and back them with verification, payments and policies that keep both sides confident.
ID verified
Every Companion completes government ID verification through Stripe Identity before taking bookings.
Admin approved
Every application is manually reviewed by our team. No self-publishing, no exceptions.
Protected payments
Stripe holds the payment. Funds are only captured once the Companion accepts the booking.
Message first
Chat before you book. Agree on the plan and make sure it's the right fit for both sides.
Not your typical platform
What makes us different.
Companions, not tour guides
Real locals who set their own activities and rates. They share what they genuinely love about their city.
Scripted tours with fixed itineraries. One-size-fits-all sightseeing with large groups.
Chat before you book
Message your Companion first. Agree on the plan and feel comfortable before committing to anything.
Book blind. No way to communicate with your guide until the day of the activity.
Social activities, not sightseeing
Coffee, meals, walks, karaoke, events — it's about doing things together and sharing the moment.
Photo stops at landmarks. Tick-the-box tourism with minimal real interaction.
Verified and reviewed
Every Companion passes ID verification and admin approval. After each activity, Explorers leave honest reviews.
Minimal vetting. Reviews can be manipulated. No identity verification required.
Our journey
From idea to platform.
2024
The idea
Our founder moves to Sydney and realises there's no way to book a local friend. The concept for Deeplay is born.
2025
Building begins
Research, branding and platform development kick off. The name 地陪 becomes Deeplay. The first Companion profiles take shape.
2026
Sydney launch
Deeplay goes live in Sydney. First Companions approved, first bookings completed, first reviews earned.
2027+
What's next
Expand to Melbourne and beyond. More Companions, more activities, more cities — same commitment to authentic local experiences.
Your next great experience starts here.
Whether you want to explore Sydney with a local or share yours with others — there's a place for you on Deeplay.