Travel Startups and Innovation News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the startups in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more.

Startups are a powerful force driving innovation across the travel industry—from AI-driven personalization and fintech solutions to next-gen mobility and booking platforms. PhocusWire delivers the most relevant travel startups and innovation news, spotlighting emerging companies that are rethinking the way people search, book, and experience travel.

Emerging travel startups and innovations driving the industry forward

Our coverage highlights breakthrough ideas, early-stage funding rounds, and strategic partnerships that bring fresh energy to the travel ecosystem. Whether it's reshaping trip planning, optimizing operations, or solving pain points across the journey, travel startups are challenging incumbents and building the future of travel with agility and purpose.

TripActions 250M series D
News / Startups
TripActions raises again, $250M round going to aggressive growth plan
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2019
This latest investment comes less than eight months after TripActions' Series C round last... Read More
splyt-grab-funding-partnership
News / Startups
Grab helps with $8M investment in Splyt to expand partnership globally
By Linda Fox | June 26, 2019
Grab and Splyt say their shared vision is for travelers not to have to download local transportation... Read More
duffel series a round
News / Startups
Duffel raises $21.5M for yet-to-launch distribution platform
By Jill Menze | June 21, 2019
Benchmark, which has invested in companies including Uber, Twitter and Snap, led the Series A round,... Read More
Every innovator pitch from Phocuswright Europe 2019 - all in one place
News / Startups
Every innovator pitch from Phocuswright Europe 2019 - all in one place
By PhocusWire | June 19, 2019
Phocuswright Europe 2019 brought together a group of eager travel startups and established brands... Read More
Stride walks away with $2.5M in funding for multiday packages platform
News / Startups
Stride walks away with $2.5M in funding for multiday packages platform
By Linda Fox | June 14, 2019
Stride adds $2.5 million to its coffers and launches its TripFinder feature to match travelers to... Read More
VIDEO: Efectio Sleep - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Efectio Sleep - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | June 7, 2019
Helping hotel guests improve sleep quality and bring loyalty program gamification to a new level. No... Read More
investors-phocuswright-europe-2019-2
News / Startups
VIDEO: How investors decipher the fast-paced online travel landscape in Asia
By Linda Fox | June 5, 2019
The “Through the Lens of Investors” session at the Phocuswright Europe 2019 Conference threw a... Read More
VIDEO: Klazz - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Klazz - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2019
Language travel is reinvented by applying algorithmic solutions to match students with freelance... Read More
VIDEO: Travel Ledger - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Travel Ledger - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | June 4, 2019
Welcome to a new era of low-cost billing and payment in travel thanks to distributed ledger... Read More
VIDEO: Cruisewatch - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Cruisewatch - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | May 31, 2019
Cruisewatch is transforming the way people find and book cruises through 360-degree online cruise... Read More
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 In partnership with Zartico, this video series explores the latest trends and delivers practical... Read More
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