Hot 25 Startups 2019

News / Technology

Acai Travel, Lumo bring predictive disruption tech into AI service workflows

By Cathy Walsh | April 2, 2026

The integration enables TMCs, OTAs and airlines to prioritize impacted travelers, automate rebooking tasks and communicate across channels as disruption volumes increase. Read More

News / Online

Affiliate monetization platform Stay22 lands $122M

By Abby Crotty | February 26, 2026

The company said the fresh capital will be used for global expansion and for platform and team growth. Read More

News / Technology

GuestReady boosts presence in Spain with acquisition of Lightbooking

By Linda Fox | January 29, 2026

The acquisition is GuestReady’s 12th since the company was founded in 2016, which it says demonstrates its sustained expansion in Europe through M&A. Read More

News / Technology

DerbySoft launches flight technology solution

By Morgan Hines | June 17, 2025

Jason Sui, who co-founded PKFare which was acquired by DerbySoft last year, will take the reins as divisional CEO for flights at DerbySoft. Read More

News / Technology

DerbySoft acquires Arise to boost travel agent-hotel relationship

By Linda Fox | February 28, 2025

DerbySoft said the deal supports its strategy around streamlining and automating elements of the supplier-distribution relationship in business travel. Read More

News / Technology

RentalReady launches fully autonomous AI agent for STRs

By Mileva Sapic | October 2, 2024

RentalReady's AI agent, Maia, will handle guest communication and assist with upselling, reviews, tasks and revenue management. Read More

News / Online

Where are they now? Checking in with our Hot 25 Startups of 2019

By Morgan Hines | October 9, 2023

Sanctifly, Stay22, Lumo, Beyond, TravelPerk and GuestReady update PhocusWire on what they’ve been up to since they were named part of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2019. Read More

News / Startups

Research Spotlight: The state of travel startups 2018

By PhocusWire | November 16, 2018

The number of travel startups being founded has slowed in recent years, while the market has shifted to acquisitions and funding of the breakout winners in emerging categories Read More