For nearly 25 years, Kristine Mascione committed her life to education as a German teacher. A Havertown native, mom of three, and lifelong adventurer, she’s always been driven by curiosity and a love for exploration. From competing as a pro-level cyclist and completing three Ironman triathlons to traveling across nearly 50 countries, Kristine has never been one to sit still. Now, she’s channeling that same energy into her latest adventure—entrepreneurship—with the launch of Vondern™, an app designed to help people spend less time scrolling and more time exploring.
What Vondern Does
Vondern™ is a platform built for discovery. It helps users find experiences, hidden gems, and local events tailored to their interests and location. Instead of endless reviews or generic lists, Vondern curates authentic, photo-driven content that inspires real-world adventure — all built around its motto: Scroll Less. Explore More.
Think of it as the Pinterest of Experiences — a visual, intuitive way to uncover unique places to visit, whether close to home or on the road. Currently, Vondern™ features content within a 90-minute radius of Philadelphia, connecting users to authentic local experiences while giving small towns and businesses a chance to shine without big marketing budgets.
Vondern™ serves people who want to live more intentionally — those who crave connection, curiosity, and community over screen time. It’s for anyone ready to rediscover the world right outside their door.
The Inspiration Behind Vondern
The idea for Vondern™ was born from Kristine’s own travels. Before becoming a mom, she explored nearly 50 countries, always seeking out those off-the-beaten-path spots that only locals knew about. She wanted a simpler way to find those hidden treasures.
Then life changed. With three kids under three and a global pandemic keeping everyone close to home, Kristine began to notice something: there were incredible places to explore right in her own backyard. That realization sparked a shift—from a travel app to a platform that helps people discover meaningful experiences nearby.
“As a mom, I want fun, easy-to-find places to go, with or without my kids,” Kristine explains. “And I don’t have hours to search for them.” Vondern was built to solve that problem—for her, and for anyone who wants to make the most of their time and surroundings.
A Major Milestone
One of Kristine’s proudest achievements so far has been graduating from the Founder Institute Accelerator program, a rigorous four-month journey that combines business school intensity with Shark Tank-style challenges. Out of about 40 founders, only eight made it to graduation.
“That moment was huge for me,” Kristine says. “It gave me the confidence I needed and a real crash course in the startup world.” Now, with Vondern™ set to launch in January, that milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the new year.
The Power of Community
Kristine credits much of her progress to the support she’s found through the ICW® cohort, a network of women entrepreneurs who lift each other up through every stage of the journey.
“The biggest help has been the support—just knowing there’s a group of women who have my back when things get tough,” she shares. “It’s incredibly refreshing to be surrounded by people who genuinely want to see each other succeed. I feel like I’m in good hands and part of something that truly lifts women up.”
Looking Ahead
With Vondern’s™ launch on the horizon, Kristine is ready to help others rediscover the joy of exploration—whether that means finding a new hiking trail, a cozy café, or a hidden art gallery just a short drive away.
Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help people live more intentionally, connect more deeply, and see the extraordinary in the everyday.
Vondern™ isn’t just an app—it’s an invitation to look up, step out, and start exploring.
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