Articles tagged “funding”

The latest batch of travel startups to raise funding has focused on themes of corporate travel, integrating mobility services like airport transfers into travel apps, giving hotels guest engagement tools, aggregating destination experiences, and providing technology for managing short-term rentals.

Travel startups funded this week include a data exchange platform, a direct booking solution for hotels, an intercity bus service, a listing service for recreational vehicles, a service for virtual experiences, and a ticketing tool for activities operators.

The coronavirus pandemic made some travel companies seem like dominoes stacked too closely together. But private equity will help some businesses like Vacasa escape this crisis without toppling over.

Travel startups that have raised fresh funding include GreenCloud, a hotel software firm, Bobobox, a pod hotel brand, React Mobile, a maker of panic buttons, and Cabana, a luxe camper-van firm.

Uplift and Affirm have seen gains from installment payments for travel purchases in the U.S., and the London-based startup Fly Now Pay Later wants to apply the model in Europe. The concept could help cash-strapped people resume trips.

Hopper has closed an investment of about $70 million, according to a report. Investor faith in travel appears to endure.

At least a couple of startups raised funding this week. Key helps property managers source vendors for home redesign and maintenance, while Futurestay helps them run their operations more efficiently.

Selina grew up in a time when private market investors were willing to fund millions in early losses. Money papered over missteps. But managers now face an era that requires strict management discipline. Can it adapt?

This week, travel startups announced about $9 million in funding. Lucky companies include Frontdesk, a short-term apartment rental manager, ZuBlu, a booking service for underwater adventures, Arcis Tours, which runs BLive-branded electric bike tours in remote Indian locales, and Privadia, a rental agency for luxury villas.

Itilite, a business travel management startup based in India, differs in emphasis from companies like TripActions and Travelperk. It's notable for focusing on mid-size to large companies, rather than small businesses. It also recommends only a few travel options to users on a first search.