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.

El Camino Travel raises $1.1M following pivot to focus on women travelers
News / Startups
El Camino Travel raises $1.1M following pivot to focus on women travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | February 24, 2023
El Camino Travel says it will use the funding to further develop its technology and build awareness of... Read More
BuuPass Africa funding
News / Startups
Online ticketing platform BuuPass drives off with $1.3M in funding
By Kathryn Walson | February 21, 2023
Founded in 2017, BuuPass says it is “building the digital infrastructure for the broken and... Read More
Ixigo invests $3.1M in electric bus startup FreshBus
News / Startups
Ixigo invests $3.1M in electric bus startup FreshBus
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2023
The seed round will go towards the launch of the inter-city electric bus service across India.... Read More
Dance lands €12M for micromobility subscription push
News / Startups
Dance lands €12M for micromobility subscription push
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2023
The equity is led by HV Capital, Eurazeo and BlueYard, which are all existing investors.... Read More
paul-english-deets-app
News / Startups
Kayak co-founder prepares to launch hotel reviews and booking in new app
By Mitra Sorrells | February 17, 2023
Paul English says his goal is to have restaurant, hotel and event reviews and bookings available in... Read More
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
News / Startups
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2023
The two companies plan to work together, as well as with startups, over the next 15 months, to uncover... Read More
trzmo-startup-stage-header
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Trzmo aims to be a super app for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2023
Trzmo provides global roaming, flight updates, duty-free shopping, ground transportation booking,... Read More
herdify-startup-stage-header
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Herdify enables hyper-targeted marketing for travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | February 9, 2023
The company was founded in 2021 by a former Microsoft strategist, and the executive team includes... Read More
vipper-mobility-funding
News / Startups
Vipper lands €2M for multimodal platform development
By Linda Fox | February 6, 2023
Vipper, founded in 2018, aims to simplify the booking of rail, bus and flight tickets on one platform.... Read More
holdbar-tours-activities-funding
News / Startups
Holdbar secures $1M for tours and activities tech platform
By Linda Fox | February 3, 2023
Holdbar is developing a software platform to help tours and activities operators distribute their... Read More
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