Travel Startups Raise $1.1 Billion in Past Two Weeks
Photo Credit: Pictured: Wayve autonomous vehicle driving on the road. Wayve
Skift Take
There haven't been as many travel startup fundraises this year, but there have been many more large dollar amounts than at this point last year.
Travel Startup Funding This Week
Each week we round up travel startups that have recently received or announced funding. Please email Travel Tech Reporter Justin Dawes at [email protected] if you have funding news.It's been a huge couple of weeks for travel startups. Eight of them announced $1.1 billion in funding over the past two weeks.
Most of that came from Wayve, which raised just over $1 billion for its robotaxi technology. Other significant raises — though not as high as $1 billion — went to companies in travel insurance and renewable jet fuel. And some smaller fundings went to a new luggage brand and a company 3D printing interior airplane components.
Wayve: $1 BillionWayve, which is testing self-driving cars meant for ride-hailing and other purposes, has raised $1.05 billion in a series C funding.
The round was led by SoftBank Group, with support from Microsoft and AI chip company Nvidia.
Some of SoftBank’s other travel and transportation investments include Uber, China rideshare app DiDi and its robotaxi venture, WeWork, Oyo, GetYourGuide, Klook, and Yanolja.
UK-based Wayve is developing a type of artificial in
