Startups

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

Expect investments in travel startups to hit their lowest levels in total amounts since the global financial crisis a decade ago. But when less capital is chasing deals, persistent venture capital firms may have a better shot at nurturing long-term bets.

The startup Life House has a new white-labeled full management service that doesn't require a costly rebrand or renovation. We expect only a few dozen hotels will sign up this year for it. But the new offering underscores the bigger picture, stark choices facing the owners of tens of thousands of independent hotels now.

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.

Google has a huge travel advertising business. If Google's advertising partners had to hand out tons of refunds to consumers for coronavirus-tinged trips that never happened, shouldn't Google, with its deep pockets, share in the pain?

Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, once said that it's "only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked." Some of the 57 travel startups worldwide that raised funding in the first months of the year may be about to reveal all.

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.

Emadri, which makes money from packing and trip planning, and Hotel Data Cloud, which provides content distribution tools to hotels, have announced seed rounds of funding this week.