7 European VCs Investing in TravelTech

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 biggest traveltech hubs in the UK.

So, which VCs across Europe are backing these companies?

We take a look, but first…

 

What Actually Is TravelTech?

 

Traveltech, or travel technology, is a word used to describe the apps, platforms and tools that improve the way we travel.

This could be for tourism or business, and usually focuses on either automating parts or travel, or making them easier to access.

This can be through:

• Using data and AI for dynamic pricing and recommendations.
• Using tech to provide a personalised travel experience.
• Improving booking and planning trips.
• Making operations for hotels, airlines, tour groups and trains easier to manage.
• Creating apps that make travel easier, like digital boarding passes, eSims, hotel chatbots and more.
• Making tourism more sustainable.

In fact, if you’ve travelled recently, you’ve probably used at least 1 traveltech company along the way.

 

Who Are Some Of The World’s Biggest TravelTech Companies?

 

Some of the biggest traveltech companies in the world include household names like Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Skyscanner and TravelPerk.

These are companies that have completely changed 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 used 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 changed the way that people find and choose accommodation when they go abroad.

So, if you think you are building the next big thing in European travel technology, but aren’t sure which VCs might back you, then look 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 show ‘operational excellence’.

Hailing from Amsterdam, they have 2 main programmes:

Travel Tech 1 SCR (TT1): focused on B2B traveltech startups in the early growth stage.

Travel Tech 2 FCRE S.A. (TT2): focused on traveltech scaleups in the growth stage

 

 

MairDumont Ventures

 

 

MairDumont Ventures is the venture capital arm of the MAIRDUMONT Group. Based in Germany, they look to invest in travel companies that are fast-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 looking 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 focuses 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 big names in the travel industry.

As a whole, the VC is looking for startups that give them that ‘Eureka!’ feeling, and traveltech is a big 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 looking to back early-stage startups tackling big 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.