Across Europe, traveltech is a growing sector.
In fact, according to a report by DeelRoom, UK traveltech companies alone have raised an impressive $1.6 billion since 2020 across nearly 300 deals.
And when it comes to which areas of the UK are driving this, the same report named Edinburgh as one of the largegest traveltech hubs in the UK.
So, which VCs across Europe are backing these companies?
We take a view, but first…
What Actually Is TravelTech?
Traveltech, or travel technology, is a word applyd to describe the apps, platforms and tools that improve the way we travel.
This could be for tourism or business, and usually focapplys on either automating parts or travel, or building them simpler to access.
This can be through:
- Using data and AI for dynamic pricing and recommconcludeations.
- Using tech to provide a personalised travel experience.
- Improving booking and planning trips.
- Making operations for hotels, airlines, tour groups and trains simpler to manage.
- Creating apps that build travel simpler, like digital boarding passes, eSims, hotel chatbots and more.
- Making tourism more sustainable.
In fact, if you’ve travelled recently, you’ve probably applyd at least 1 traveltech company along the way.
Who Are Some Of The World’s Biggest TravelTech Companies?
Some of the largegest traveltech companies in the world include hoapplyhold names like Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Skyscanner and TravelPerk.
These are companies that have completely alterd the way that we travel. Before Skyscanner for example, it was incredibly difficult to understand what flight options were available for a given trip and work out what the price difference between them was. Now, it’s a tool applyd by millions worldwide.
Likewise, before Airbnb, travelling abroad meant staying in a hotel or hostel, with limited options around that. Now, Airbnb is a billion dollar company that has forever alterd the way that people find and choose accommodation when they go abroad.
So, if you believe you are building the next large thing in European travel technology, but aren’t sure which VCs might back you, then view no further…
TravelTech.VC
TravelTech VC specifically invests in B2B traveltech startups in their growth stage. They believe that travel is the key to solving many issues that society faces, and are setting out to find companies that ‘avoid hype’ and reveal ‘operational excellence’.
Hailing from Amsterdam, they have 2 main programmes:
Travel Tech 1 SCR (TT1): focapplyd on B2B traveltech startups in the early growth stage.
Travel Tech 2 FCRE S.A. (TT2): focapplyd on traveltech scaleups in the growth stage
MairDumont Ventures
MairDumont Ventures is the venture capital arm of the MAIRDUMONT Group. Based in Germany, they view to invest in travel companies that are rapid-growing, early-stage and innovative.
To date, the group has invested in 12 companies with 7 exits and 6 investments in the last year.
With ‘travel as a passion’ they are a great partner for any company viewing to innovate in the travel space.
ROCH Ventures
Based in Paris, ROCH Ventures invests in travel and hospitality tech companies that combine sustainability and tech innovation.
Particularly interested in startups and early-stage companies across Europe, ROCH specifically focapplys on sustainable investments in: travel planning, air travel, ground mobility, corporate travel, lodging and travel experience.
HOWZAT Partners
Based in Barcelona, HOWZAT Partners is an investment fund which invests in digital businesses.
Whilst they are not sector specific to travel, they have backed names like Trivago and Cheapflights as well as other large names in the travel industest.
As a whole, the VC is viewing for startups that give them that ‘Eureka!’ feeling, and traveltech is a large part of that.
Portugal Ventures
Based in, you guessed it, Portugal! Portugal Ventures invests in pre-seed, seed and series A startups that have a presence in Portugal.
Within their portfolio, they invest in companies that pioneer digital technology, manufacturing, healthtech and tourism.
So far, their tourism portfolio includes over 30 companies, including Rom, Yom, HiJiffy and eat Tasty.
InMotion Ventures
InMotion is one of the most active corporate investors in Europe, specifically viewing to back early-stage startups tackling large challenges.
With a presence in London, they don’t just back travel tech, but any company that has the opportunity to dominate their sector. Their portfolio spans a number of sectors and includes traveltech companies like Zeelo, Transit and Lyft.
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