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Can digital conferences still be exciting after so many online events? We say: Yes! Find out why in our event review of 1E9 Conference in the 11th Munich Startup Podcast. It's about "A New Humanity," so stay tuned.
An overview of the travel tech industry
Traveltech startups in this country are encountering long-established tourism and travel companies, as well as a hotel industry that operates very analogically in Germany. However, an incredible amount is happening in this sector right now (from minute 5:17). Some American players have begun to shake up the market. But many Munich-based startups are also involved in the digitalization of the travel and tourism industry. On our Munich Startup Insights Dashboard More than 40 startups are listed under the 'Travel Industry' in Munich. Here, we can clearly see that some have strong growth trends and were able to complete very successful financing rounds – including in 2020. The coronavirus crisis has now brought additional momentum to this sector.
After analyzing some industry statistics, the podcast discusses six different Munich-based startups that are enriching the travel and tourism industry. First, startups that digitize travel booking and planning via platforms. Second, startups that digitize processes for travel providers, and thus often also for travelers. Third, startups that are revolutionizing the entire market and creating a completely new offering.
How Fible and Unplanned help with planning and not planning
Because it is so difficult to plan trips right now, we will look at this part first. We talk about the just launched Munich startup Fible (from minute 11:24). The three founders want to support independent travelers with their digital travel assistant. Fible offers vacation planners a central platform for travel blogs, combining detailed search and filter functions, a rating and recommendation system, booking options, and much more. This is designed to make planning a trip fun again.
Those who do not like planning a trip are Unplanned In good hands (from minute 14:51). The B2C startup targets adventurous vacationers who want to be surprised. Using the specified travel date and a few additional details (urban culture, nature, or perhaps sporting activities?), the Unplanned team books the entire trip. Where you're going isn't revealed until the day of departure. Customer satisfaction is very high, but the Unplanned founding team – Christian Diener and Frauke Schmidt – is facing some challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Digital processes for tourism companies
The next startup we're featuring – Holidu – also targets individual travelers to find them the cheapest holiday accommodation (from minute 17.34). At the same time, the platform goes further and supports landlords with its own software. Founded in 2014 by the Brothers Johannes and Michael Siebers The startup, founded in 2006, has successfully completed several financing rounds, most recently a 40 million euro Series C round, which was expanded again by 5 million euros in 2020. With over 200 employees, the startup operates in more than 20 markets worldwide.
Apaleo also offers a platform, this time for hotels (from minute 21:01). The Munich softwareThe startup aims to make hoteliers more independent and flexible with its property management system. The fourteen-member founding team has already attracted VC investors with this idea. convinceThe number of employees is also currently growing.
The Traveltech Disruptors
To round out the topic, we look at two travel tech startups that are fundamentally transforming and digitizing the industry (starting at minute 23:01). Limehome is taking a holistic approach. Founders Josef Vollmayr and Lars Stäbe classify themselves as proptech, as Limehome converts commercial spaces into serviced apartments. Here, the customer journey is completely digitized. In this way, the Munich-based startup, founded in 2018, is creating a "digital hotel chain." The founders have already raised around €35 million for their company. venture capital Their business model was crisis-resistant and still highly scalable.
Hotelbird (from minute 26:50), on the other hand, focuses on the area of digital reception, helping existing hotels digitize themselves. In addition to a software solution, the startup also offers self-service terminals. These were in demand right at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. sold out quicklyThe company, founded in 2015, has gained many new hotels as customers in recent months.
And Fulfin with the VC Lakeside
After our excursion into the world of travel, we introduce you to the fintech Fulfin in the podcast (starting at minute 31:00). The digital platform through which online shops Apply for a loan can, recently had a Investment in the mid-seven-figure range. So we're also taking a look at Switzerland to introduce you to the VC firm Lakeside Invest & Consult – the early-stage venture capitalist participated in this round.
