Skift Take
If venture-backed startup Lumo has its way, more travelers will avoid flight cancellations thanks to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. No wonder that JetBlue, EasyJet, and other companies are interested.
Lumo, a Boston-based travel technology startup, is telling airlines it can peer into the future and know which flights are likely to be delayed hours — or even days — in advance.
Three years into its life, the company — which helps airlines and corporate travel managers preventatively rejigger routes and itineraries — said Monday it had received a $2.3 million seed round.
Frankly, the dollar amount is unimpressive. But the companies backing the startup are notable.
Leading the round is JetBlue Technology Ventures, the San Carlos, California-based investment arm of the U.S. airline JetBlue Airways.
Another investor is Founders Factory, a London incubator and accelerator whose travel program is backed by UK airline EasyJet. Lumo has been mentored in the program this winter, which is where it gained insights into the European travel market and regulations and received help with marketing, such as by rebranding from FlightSayer to Lumo.
Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based accelerator that has worked with many travel startups, is also an investor. This spring, Lumo will receive mentorship there.
The latest investment round also includes a stake from an unnamed strategic investor, which is likely a major airline or a travel management company.
Already the flight delay prediction startup has signed up travel management companies Adelman, Flight Centre, Carlson Wagonlit, and Acendas as
