Tripoto brings in $3.7M to boost community and travel search platform

Tripoto has doubled its investment raised to date following a $3.7 million capital injection from a group of high-profile backers.

The India-based travel community secured the round from Orchid India, Hornbill Orchid India Fund, Chiratae Ventures, 3one4 Capital and Lasmer NV.

The company was launched in 2013 by CEO Anirudh Gupta and Michael Lyngdoh.

The latest round comes two years after a $2.5 million deal in early 2017 and brings its total to $7.5 million.

Alongside the community element of the platform is metasearch for hotels and flights.

Gupta says both its revenue and user base have increased by 300% over the past 12 months, with over two million travel itineraries created by members, including video and photo content.

The website has more than six million active users a month, the company claims.

The capital will be used to grow both the consumer-facing and B2B wings of the brand, Gupta says.

"On the consumer front, we want to capture the entire life cycle of a traveler - everything from getting inspired, discovering, planning and finally, carrying out the transaction. Users also share their travel content and reviews on the platform to complete the cycle.

"Tripoto uses AI to map the consumer during the various stages of the life cycle and push relevant products and inventory. On the business front, we want to act as an enabler for travel agents and bring them online as an essential component of our community."