Precis’ Post

Journera, a #travel data startup created seven years ago by Orbitz founder Jeff Katz, is shutting down. Read the statement from Jeff Katz on #PhocusWire: https://bit.ly/3HVLgNW #travelnews #travelindustrynews #travelindustry #travelstartup #startup

Otto, an AI-powered startup focused on #businesstravel, acquired $6 million in a seed round. The startup, which is developing an intelligent and autonomous AI #travelassistant for business travellers, hopes to streamline the travel experience. Madrona Ventures led the #investment round, which also included Direct Travel and many angel investors from the business travel industry. Notable attendees include Erik Blachford, former CEO of Expedia; Barney Harford, former CEO of Orbitz and COO of Uber; and Hugh Crean, CEO of Operix and previous CEO of Farecast. Otto's objective is to deliver an AI travel assistant that plans, books, and helps people on their journeys. To provide a personalised experience, the service learns visitors' preferences, such as preferred airlines, flights, and accommodations. Otto is intended to help unmanaged business travelers those without corporate travel partners by integrating with key industry service providers such as Spotnana and Direct Travel. The fresh capital will enable Otto to further build its AI platform and increase its interaction with corporate #travelservice providers. The company plans to expand its real-time travel support features to assist users in managing #flightmodifications or other delays while in transit. Steve Singh, the founder of SAP Concur and managing director of Madrona Ventures, was instrumental in the development of Otto through Madrona Venture Labs. Singh oversaw the investment and will serve as Executive Chairman of Otto. Otto's creator and CEO, Michael Gulmann, has more than a decade of expertise in the travel sector, having previously held top positions at Expedia and Egencia. Singh stated, "The advent of AI will bring massive changes to the travel industry." We are pleased to use our extensive knowledge of the travel industry's infrastructure to help construct an #AIagent for frequent business and leisure travellers who currently schedule their own travels or work with a trusted #humanexecutive assistant to do so." Gulmann added, "We are happy to collaborate with Madrona and Steve, who bring extensive knowledge and experience in the #travelbusiness and enterprise software. Otto is poised to alter the way business travellers plan and book trips, thanks to a Spotnana integration and a partnership with Direct Travel. Otto is ushering in a new era of travel by offering a personalised, convenient, and smart travel assistant that understands client requirements and preferences. https://lnkd.in/fzpnPPW #AItravelassistant #Otto #seedfunding #MadronaVentures #traveltech #innovation #TravelTech #AIStartup #TravelInnovation #TechInvestments #SmartTravel #TravelSolutions #travelplanning #smarttravelassistant #automation #technews 

🚀🔍 Calling all travel explorers! 🔍🚀 🕒 It's time to explore the world of travel booking engines and discover the new possibilities they can offer to the tourism world! 🌍 We believe that technology can make traveling easier, more efficient and more memorable than ever before! ✈️ 🌐If you have a tech startup about travel reservations, learn more about the program here: https://bit.ly/3Jy6nH3!   And apply here: 👉 https://bit.ly/4bu0B5E  #CapsuleTacceleratorGR #7thcycle #applynow #applicationperiod #TechStartups #TourismInnovation #StartupGrowth #AccelerationProgram

Travel Startups : At the Heart of Innovation ! On this International Startup Day, let's celebrate the spirit of innovation that's catapulting the travel industry into exciting new realms. Ezus embodies this revolution by offering travel agents a platform where the art of customization meets the precision of technology. With Ezus, a rising star among startups crafted for travel artisans, you can : 🛄 Craft tailor-made experiences with astonishing ease. 📈 Boost your conversions with an interface designed for peak performance. ✨ Create elegant documents that captivate your clients. 👨🍳 Manage your suppliers and quotes with a few clicks, all while preserving the essence of your creations.  For forward-thinking travel agencies, Ezus is the perfect travel companion. On this special day, let's acknowledge the impact of innovators who, like you, continually push boundaries and enrich the traveler's experience🗺 Celebrate with us the passion, creativity, and boldness that define travel startups. Join the celebration of innovation and let Ezus propel your agency to the heights of efficiency and customization ! #traveltech #travelsoftware #customizedtravel #DMC #tour #travel #software #saas #tech #b2b #ezus 

TravelTech Startup: Adventure or Quicksand? ✈️ After almost 8 months at the helm of Jhotika Inc., I want to unpack the exciting yet demanding world of travel tech. The Glimmering Oasis: Why TravelTech? The travel industry is a $10 trillion behemoth, projected to grow at a steady 5% annually. Here's what makes it so alluring: 1. Massive Market: There's immense potential for disruption and innovation. 2. Digitalization Gap: Many crucial travel processes remain frustratingly manual, ripe for automation. 3. Impactful Solutions: Helping people connect in real life? Incredibly rewarding! Beware the Quicksand: TravelTech's Challenges Don't be fooled by the sandy beaches! Travel tech has its hidden challenges: 1. High Barriers to Entry: Data, pricing, and access are tightly controlled by established players. 2. Entrenched Habits: Changing traveler behavior takes time and effort. 3. Idea Saturation: Many ideas revolve around itinerary planning and booking, requiring a standout solution. 3. Competition Galore: TravelTech is a hotbed of startups vying for attention. Navigating the Terrain: Finding Your TravelTech Treasure Despite the challenges, the travel industry is a treasure trove! Here at Jhotika, we have a vision for a future unlocked by tech (e.g., hyper-personalization), and we're building the path forward while addressing a set of current traveler pain points to build the bi-directional familiarity. Do you have any questions or insights on TravelTech? Share them in the comments below! #startup #traveltech #jhotika #travel

#NDC #AirlineTechnology #TravelInnovation #AirlineIndustry #FareIntelligence Unlocking Innovation: Why Start-ups are the Ideal Partners for NDC Testing   In the rapidly evolving landscape of airline technology, staying ahead of the curve is not just a competitive advantage – it's a necessity. As airlines embrace New Distribution Capability (NDC) standards to enhance their distribution channels and improve passenger experiences, the importance of robust testing cannot be overstated. However, why should airlines consider partnering with start-up tech companies over established players when it comes to NDC testing? Let's delve into the reasons:   Agility and Flexibility: Start-up tech companies thrive on agility and adaptability. Their lean structures and entrepreneurial spirit enable them to pivot quickly, respond to changing requirements, and tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of their clients. This is invaluable in the dynamic landscape of NDC testing, where requirements are constantly evolving.   Innovation at the Core: Start-ups are inherently driven by innovation. They are not bound by legacy systems or processes, allowing them to explore new ideas, experiment with emerging technologies, and push the boundaries of what's possible. By partnering with start-ups, airlines can tap into fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that may not be available with traditional tech companies.   Cost-Effectiveness: Start-ups often offer competitive pricing compared to their larger counterparts. With lower overhead costs and a focus on efficiency, start-up tech companies can deliver high-quality NDC testing services at a fraction of the cost of established players. This is appealing for airlines looking to maximize their return on investment in NDC implementation.   Collaborative Partnership: Start-ups are hungry for success and are deeply invested in the success of their clients. Unlike large tech companies, which may treat clients as just another account, start-ups prioritize building strong, collaborative relationships with their partners. This partnership mentality fosters open communication, responsiveness to feedback, and a shared commitment to achieving mutual goals.   Driving Industry Disruption: The airline industry is ripe for disruption, and start-up tech companies are at the forefront of driving this change. By partnering with start-ups, airlines have the opportunity to be part of this transformative journey, leveraging innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge and shape the future of air travel.   In conclusion, while established tech companies certainly have their merits, when it comes to NDC testing, the agility, innovation, cost-effectiveness, collaborative partnership, and industry disruption offered by start-up tech companies make them the ideal partners for airlines seeking to navigate the complexities of NDC implementation successfully. Prashant Anand Abhyankar Klaas Fokkema Baiju Jacob Surbhi Kakkad Amit Kakkad

This week's #StartupFeature is Otto, an AI-powered startup focused on business travel, has raised $6m in a seed funding round. They has recently secured a $6M seed round led by Madrona Ventures. Their AI travel assistant is a testament to how innovative tech can transform even the most traditional industries. This funding milestone underscores the growing demand for AI-driven solutions that make life simpler and more efficient. https://lnkd.in/dBrfEGu7 For fellow startup founders, Otto’s success highlights the importance of solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology. Are you already on the path to implementing AI? #StartupOfTheMonth #Otto #StartUps

Exciting Announcement: Travelpartner.ai to Revolutionize Corporate Travel secured funding from Nivesha Ventures. We are thrilled to announce that Nivesha Ventures has made a strategic investment in Travelpartner.ai, an AI-powered software platform designed to elevate the corporate travel experience to new heights. Travelpartner.ai offers a comprehensive platform that simplifies aspects of corporate travel, ensuring the best experience for business travelers. The innovative technology leverages artificial intelligence to streamline travel planning, booking, and management, making business trips more efficient and enjoyable. This investment marks a proud moment for both Nivesha Ventures and Travelpartner.ai, as we join forces to transform the way corporate travel is managed. We are super excited about the possibilities this partnership brings and look forward to delivering unparalleled travel solutions. Elevate your business travel with Travelpartner.ai – where innovation meets convenience, and your journey to seamless corporate travel begins. #FundingNews #Startup #TravelTech #BusinessTravel #Innovation #Growth #TeamExpansion #MarketTraction #TravelPartnersAI #NiveshaVentures #Congratulations #PortfolioCompaniesSynergy

🚨 Big News in Travel Tech 🚨 London-based travel tech startup Turneo just raised €2M in Seed funding! 💼💥 The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with Underline Ventures also participating. In exciting news, Aditya Nidmarti, investor at Bessemer, has joined the Board at Turneo. 🏦 🔍 What does this mean for Turneo? • They’re growing the team 👥 • Expanding into new markets 🌍 • Bringing significant product enhancements 🚀 Founded in 2022 by former Expedia Group execs Matija Marijan and Fran Kauzlarić, Turneo is transforming the hospitality experience by enabling guests to browse and book activities and transfers directly through the hotel’s website or app. Hotels can manage the full scope of activities—from in-house offerings to partner experiences—all on one platform. 🏨💡 💡 Why it Matters: - Seamless booking experiences for travelers ✈️ - Streamlined management for hotels 🏨 - Actionable insights to enhance guest satisfaction 📊 With the travel industry rebounding, Turneo is set to reshape how guests engage with their destinations. Ready for what’s next in travel tech? 📢 Stay tuned to Future Techly for the latest updates on this groundbreaking initiative and the latest in tech and business! 💥 Source: FinSMEs #TravelTech #FundingNews #HospitalityInnovation #Turneo #FutureOfTravel #StartupNews #BessemerVenturePartners

#CLIENTWINS Darrien Watson is shaping the future of travel technology with SquadTrip! From groundbreaking features like auto-billing and traveler referrals to constant platform refinements, the tech startup is redefining the group travel experience.🚀Learn more about his inspiring journey in this recent article from CEO Weekly. 🌎✈️ #clientnews #tech #travel #techstartup #grouptravel