STARTUP STAGE: JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences

JrnyOn

Using JrnyOn's platform, content creators and domain experts will be able to find and personalize curated journeys made available by regional service providers and invite their audiences to travel with them.

Founded in 2023, JrnyOn leverages technology to connect creators, travelers and the end service providers while also planning to incorporate AI into the trip-building process to make it easier for creators to customize journeys.

What is your 30-second pitch to investors?

We are building a platform that will enable content creators and domain experts (chefs, wellness, adventurers, etc.) to find and personalize curated journeys made available by regional service providers and invite their audiences to travel with them.

JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences without any of the logistical burden and provide customers a seamless experience from beginning to end.

Company

JrnyOn

Location

London and Bengaluru, India

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Describe both the business and technology aspects of your startup.

Our platform will feature domain experts and content creators of all genres, hosting immersive journeys all over the world. We cater to travelers eager to find and travel with a community of people who share the same interests — hosted by these passionate experts.

The tech is what brings it all together — the platform we are building connects the creators, travelers and the end services providers. We’re also in the process of incorporating artificial intelligence into our trip-building process to make it easier for creators to customize journeys to add programs and workshops showcasing their subject matter.

Give us your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the company.

Strengths:

The founding team’s extensive experience in travel and technology provides a strong foundation for the company.

Collaborations with creators and influencers across various genres enable the development of tailored, expert-led experiences.

The innovative technology platform sets the company apart in the industry.

Weaknesses:

As a brand-new company, market penetration is gradual, particularly with niche target audiences.

The new business model is untested on a large scale, requiring time to establish and build trust.

Opportunities:

The growing influence of social media networks and the rise of content creators offer a vast market to tap into.

The demand for curated, expert-led, community-focused travel is increasing, driven by a maturing audience’s desire for experiential travel.

Threats:

Economic uncertainty and potential travel restrictions pose risks to growth and operations in a volatile global environment.

Competition from established travel companies and platforms challenges market entry and expansion efforts.

What are the travel pain points you are trying to alleviate from both the customer and the industry perspective?

Domain experts and influencers often struggle to create and lead travel experiences due to logistical challenges. Their passion and expertise are clear, but organizing these trips has been a significant barrier. Our platform addresses this issue, allowing creators to lead immersive journeys with their audiences without the logistical hassles.

We also discover small experience providers in remote areas with incredible local knowledge and unique offerings that need broader exposure. By bringing these providers onto our platform and connecting them with creators, we enhance the authenticity and depth of our travel experiences.

So you've got the product, now how will you get lots of customers?

Our model is fundamentally collaborative, designed to leverage the existing audiences of creators. These creators, with their established followings, naturally bring their audiences to our platform, creating a seamless integration of both creators and their followers. This organic process would result in a community of end customers that includes both the creators and their audiences. By connecting these two groups, our platform aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem where both creators and their followers benefit.

Tell us what process you've gone through to establish a genuine need for your company and the size of the addressable market.

Starting in January, we worked closely with domain experts and creators to understand their needs and those of their audiences. This is a crucial step for us to create journeys that both enhance value for audiences and meet the preferences of creators. Our adaptable model is designed to be implemented worldwide, ensuring that it can accommodate diverse requirements.

How and when will you make money?

Even though we are in the early stages, we have begun to see significant traction. In January, we launched our basic platform and introduced multi-day experiences with 10-15 experts. We are already experiencing considerable revenue and growth, demonstrating strong early success. This momentum underscores the potential and effectiveness of our model as we continue to expand and refine our offerings.

What are the backgrounds and previous achievements of the founding team?

Our chairman, Phil Otterson, brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in the travel industry. Before joining JrnyOn, Phil served as president of Abercrombie & Kent USA.

One of our founders, Sanjith Mukund, comes with 24 years of experience in hospitality and travel, operating tours worldwide. Prior to founding JrnyOn, Sanjith worked at Tauck USA for 18 years, researching and developing travel experiences.

Our second founder, Vidyanand Murunnikara, brings the technical expertise with a background in software engineering. He is also the founder of a successful tech company based in India. Sanjith and Vidyanand have been friends since high school.

Anjanna Sanjith, our co-founder, comes from a banking background and has over 10 years of experience running various travel companies.

How have you addressed diversity and inclusion within your business?

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our business approach. Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a broad range of experiences and perspectives.

In curating our experiential journeys, we partner with local and regional service providers unique to the areas we operate in, ensuring that our offerings are enriched by authentic, diverse perspectives from around the world. This approach not only supports local economies but also provides our customers with a richer, more varied experience.

Our collaborators, creators, and domain experts come from diverse fields and cultural backgrounds, bringing a wide array of expertise and viewpoints to the experiences we offer. Looking to the future, our long-term vision includes bringing regional service providers from remote and under-represented parts of the world to the forefront. By connecting these providers with creators, we aim to highlight their unique offerings and broaden their reach, fostering a more inclusive and diverse global travel landscape.

What's been the most difficult part of founding the business so far?

The most challenging aspects of founding the business have included transitioning the founding team from stable careers to starting anew with JrnyOn. This shift has involved embracing the risks and uncertainties of launching a startup, which has been both a major life change and a substantial personal and professional adjustment.

Another challenge has been standing out in a crowded travel industry, where established players dominate and rates often drive decisions. Additionally, overcoming the lack of initial brand awareness to onboard creators and establish trust has proven challenging. Finally, educating customers about the value of immersive experiences in a crowded travel space has been a critical task.

Generally, travel startups face a fairly tough time making an impact - so why are you going to be one of the lucky ones?

Travel startups often face significant challenges in making an impact, but our unique collaborative model sets us apart. By leveraging the existing audiences of creators and influencers, we create a built-in network that fosters organic growth and virality. This distinctive approach positions us to stay ahead of the game by continuously engaging and expanding our community.

A year from now, what state do you think your startup will be in?

Flourishing and 10 times bigger.

What is your end-game (going public, acquisition, growing and staying private, etc.)?

At this stage, our primary focus is on building a robust platform that serves creators worldwide and ensures customer satisfaction with our curated travel experiences. Our endgame is to become the leading name in curated travel, the first thought that comes to mind when people think of exceptional travel experiences. In the longer term, we remain open to various possibilities for the future, including going public, acquisition or staying private, depending on what aligns best with our vision and mission at the time.

PhocusWright Innovation Platform

Phocuswright Innovation is a platform that fosters a vibrant and interconnected community of innovators, startups, investors and thought leaders contributing to the overall development of an innovation ecosystem in travel. Using this one link, startups can learn about all of the innovation-related events and programs from Phocuswright and PhocusWire.

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