Trip4real has raised $1.35 million in funding led by local venture capital groups Caixa Capital Risc and Kibo Ventures.
The Spain-based peer-to-peer service (TLabs here), which connects locals with travellers, says the fund will be used for "rapid expansion" of the business to coincide with substantial growth over the course of the next six months.
Using Trip4real's platform, locals post a travel activity or tour itinerary for a price, and travellers are able to book it directly online. Categories of activities offered in the platform include adventure, attractions, culture, day trip, gastronomy, night life or sports.
Molins says:
"We’re in a time of rapid growth and major corporations already trust us, it’s a groundbreaking project and a major step that will help us be more visible to our international audience, travelers and locals in each new city."
The company has established partnerships with Splendia, and Time Out.
The company claims to "thousands" of experienced local experts in the system offering about 2,500 unique activities, with services having already been used by more than 10,000 people.
Drawing similarities with the P2P accommodation major, Airbnb, the company says in its funding announcement: "If Airbnb can make anyone a hotelier, Trip4real can make anyone an expert tour guide."
Trip4real was founded in late 2013 by Gloria Molins (CEO). The founder bootstrapped the startup with $20,000, and received an additional $75,000 funding from the government.