Accessible travel platform Wheel the World has closed its $11 million Series A round, which includes $3.5 million in fresh capital. The round also includes the conversion of previously issued simple agreements for future equity.
Funds will be used to help Wheel the World expand its accessibility verification program to destination marketing organizations across U.S. and Europe, as well as to develop AI capabilities and scale distribution of verified accessibility data, the company said.
Wheel the World, a PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup for 2022, helps people with disabilities and older adults find tours, stays and transportation with validated accessibility information. It also runs a verification program, helping destinations and hospitality businesses confirm and market their accessibility.
“Accessibility in travel has never been just an infrastructure problem. It has been an information problem,” said Alvaro Silberstein, CEO and co-founder of Wheel the World.
“If we consider AI as an engine, the fuel of that engine is data. At Wheel the World, we have been collecting detailed, reliable and verified accessibility data for years across more than 200 destinations in global localities and over 8,000 travel services. We have done this with a level of structure, depth and rigor that now allows us to deliver AI-powered experiences where travelers with disabilities can plan with clarity and confidence, knowing exactly what to expect.”
The latest funding round was co-led by disability tech venture capital firm Enable Ventures and Kayyak Ventures. Vulcano, Weboost, Samaritan Partners, ImpactaVC, Miles Partnership also participated. Wheel the World highlighted “strong follow-on support” from existing investors as well as former Expedia CEO Erik Blachford and former Booking.com CEO Gillian Tans.
Long term, Wheel the World said it plans to make accessibility standard and expected travel information, similar to pricing, availability and location.
In March 2023, Wheel the World raised $6 million, which is now included in the $11 million Series A. The company also raised $2 million in its seed round in 2021.
Co-founder and COO Camilo Navarro spoke with PhocusWire's Morgan Hines at The Phocuswright Conference in November, detailing Wheel the World's view on improving accessibility with AI. Watch the full discussion below.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the total funding amount as $13 million, based on information provided by the company. The company later clarified the total amount is $11 million, and this story has been updated.
Ramping up accessible travel