The recent surge in funding for travel startups indicates a strong investor interest in the hospitality and tourism industry. Canary Technologies, a platform focused on hotel guest management, raised $50 million in series C funding from Insight Partners and other investors. With products like mobile check-in and AI-generated messaging, Canary Technologies aims to simplify the guest experience and address resource constraints faced by hotels post-pandemic. The platform has more than 20,000 clients worldwide, including major hotel chains like IHG, Marriott, and Hilton.
Matsuri Technologies, based in Tokyo, secured $8.5 million in series D funding for its platform that helps hosts manage short-term rentals. The funds will be used to enhance the software product, expand the footprint, and hire more staff. Matsuri also offers hotel tech through its brands Stayme and S-Villa. Another startup, Roamless, raised $5 million in seed funding for its eSIM provider for travelers. Roamless offers eSIMs in multiple countries, allowing users to access international internet data without changing physical SIM cards.
Badi, a booking platform for furnished rooms and apartments in Spain, raised $5.4 million from Barlon Capital and secured a loan from Banco Santander. With more than 700,000 listings on its core Badi Marketplace, the Barcelona-based startup also offers premium bookings on Badi Plus. Qstay, a short-term rental property manager based in Dubai, raised $4.6 million in pre-Series A funding. The platform currently operates more than 300 properties across four countries and projects $63 million in revenue by 2025.
Alō Index, based in New York City, secured $1.9 million in pre-seed funding for its platform that connects business travelers with sustainability-focused hotels. The startup evaluates data from hotel properties to provide insights to travel managers and help corporate clients meet sustainability goals. The funding will be used to improve the platform’s features and expedite the hotel onboarding process. Overall, these travel startups are attracting significant investments to innovate and enhance the guest experience, driving growth and expansion in the hospitality industry.
In summary, the recent funding rounds totaling over $75 million for six travel startups highlight the growing investor interest in the hospitality and tourism sector. These startups, ranging from hotel tech platforms to short-term rental management providers, are focused on simplifying the guest experience, addressing resource constraints, and promoting sustainable travel practices. With funds allocated for product development, expansion, and hiring, these startups are well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving needs of the travel industry and drive innovation in the sector.
