Investments

What is Booking Holdings up to with its big 2021 spending spree?
News / Online
What is Booking Holdings up to with its big 2021 spending spree?
By Kevin May | December 6, 2021
PhocusWire asked a range of executives and experts for their perspective on what might be motivating the buying spree at Booking Holdings and what it means for their competitors, others and the future. Read More
amexgbt-spac-sabre
News / Online
American Express GBT will go public via SPAC at $5.3B valuation
By Mitra Sorrells | December 3, 2021
The transaction, expected to close in the first half of 2022, is expected to provide up to $1.2 billion of gross proceeds, of which $335 million is fully committed from new investors including... Read More
Sounding Off: IPOs might hamper the spirit of innovation
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: IPOs might hamper the spirit of innovation
By PhocusWire | December 3, 2021
The balance between the formalities and culture of becoming a public company alongside fostering an ability to try new things is a difficult one. Read More
selina-ipo-spac
News / Startups
Selina plots public listing via SPAC
By Linda Fox | December 3, 2021
Selina, which was launched in 2015, is combining with existing SPAC New York-based BOA Acquisition Corp. with gross proceeds of $285 million anticipated from the deal. Read More
Kayak leads $60M Series C for Life House
News / Startups
Kayak leads $60M Series C for Life House
By Mitra Sorrells | December 2, 2021
Life House and Kayak have been working together since last spring with the opening of Kayak Miami Beach, a hotel managed by Life House. Read More
VIDEO: Accenture on being agile, data-driven and prepared for the future
News / Technology
VIDEO: Accenture on being agile, data-driven and prepared for the future
By PhocusWire | December 2, 2021
If we accept personalization, digitalization and decentralized processes are going to be movements to adopt over the next five to 10 years, positioning and structuring a business now would be a sensible... Read More
youtrip-payments-funding
News / Startups
YouTrip eyes B2B payments following $30M funding round
By Linda Fox | December 2, 2021
Singapore-based YouTrip says its app has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times and that it has processed some 20 million transactions across Singapore and Thailand. Read More
VIDEO: UpStay - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Conference 2021
Interview / Technology
VIDEO: UpStay - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Conference 2021
By PhocusWire | November 30, 2021
UpStay is reinventing upselling by enabling hotels to unlock new profit opportunities with its automated and data-driven solution. Read More
Limehome attracts real estate and hotel investors
News / Startups
Limehome attracts real estate and hotel investors
By Linda Fox | November 23, 2021
The funds enable Limehome to take advantage of the real estate development and management, as well as hotel, expertize of the participating companies. Read More
peek-raises-80-million
News / Online
Peek secures $80M Series C round led by ex-Airbnb exec
By Jill Menze | November 23, 2021
The round, which brings the tours and activities platform’s total funding to more than $100 million, was led by Laurence Tosi’s WestCap and Goldman Sachs. Read More
Tier acquires Nextbike to round out micro-mobility service
News / Startups
Tier acquires Nextbike to round out micro-mobility service
By Linda Fox | November 23, 2021
Berlin-based Tier has purchased 100% of the shares in Nextbike in an all-cash transaction. Read More
Certares invests in agency network Avoya Travel
News / Online
Certares invests in agency network Avoya Travel
By Jaime Biesiada - Travel Weekly | November 23, 2021
Certares has many travel investments, including American Express Global Business Travel, Tripadvisor, AmaWaterways, Hertz, Latin American airlines Azul and LATAM, and tour operator G Adventures. Read More
connectgo-funding-3M
News / Technology
Connect&GO adds $3M investment for attractions tech push
By Linda Fox | November 22, 2021
Canada-based Connect&GO says its latest funding will go toward international expansion. Read More
Elude raises $3 million for budget-based travel booking app
News / Online
Elude raises $3 million for budget-based travel booking app
By Jill Menze | November 19, 2021
The seed round was led by ATX Venture Partners, bringing Los Angeles-based Elude's total funding to $5 million. Read More
VIDEO: An investor on why everything is hot right now
News / Startups
VIDEO: An investor on why everything is hot right now
By Kevin May | November 19, 2021
Despite the sector being on its knees for the majority of the last two years, VCs are considering the industry as a market of opportunity as COVID-19 restrictions ease and consumers look to venture out... Read More