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Today this newsletter is packed with exciting news about startups shaking things up in travel – specially in Europe. Ready for our curation of the top weekly news? Here we go:
- The sweet spot of medium stays. Berlin-based startup Habyt, aims to revolutionize longer stays (typically lasting six to nine months) catering to nomadic and flexible work lifestyles. Already profitable in key markets, Habyt has secured a Series C funding of €40 million to support its growth. The startup runs a digital-first platform offering listings and viewings online, emphasizing a tech-driven approach in the co-living market. Habyt strategically targets the “sweet spot of medium stays” and plans to expand further across Europe, Asia, and North America, bridging the gap between short-term and long-term rentals
- Mews prioritizes optimizing guests’ experiences. Mews has acquired Nomi, a Nashville-based hospitality startup, to enhance AI-powered guest experiences. This acquisition will improve the AI-powered experiences for hotel guests using Mews Guest Journey. Founded in 2021, Nomi uses predictive analytics and AI to offer local tour recommendations based on travelers’ unique preferences. The acquisition aligns with Mews’ goal of optimizing guest experiences, building a strong community within hotels, and further exemplifies their commitment to technological advancements in the hospitality sector, as it marks the seventh acquisition for Mews Ventures
- Changing the way we book spaces. Finnish startup MeetingPackage has secured $4.6 million in Series A funding, which will support their expansion in Europe and North America while also advancing product improvements. The company collaborates with more than 6,000 properties, offering software to manage and sell meeting and event spaces, integrated with major property management systems. MeetingPackage aims to utilize upcoming features to make operations smoother and enhance customer experience, using technology to revolutionize how venues and groups book spaces.
- Investment in insuring global travelers. Rome-based travel-insurtech BeSafeGroup has secured €3 million in Series A funding. Established in 2018, BeSafeGroup has insured over 250,000 travelers, serving a network of 1,600 customers (including hotels, tour operators, and more). The funds will not only further improve their claims management platform and develop tailored insurance solutions but also expand their sales team to accelerate growth, enabling BeSafeGroup to lead the market through tech innovation and enhanced customer experience.
- Using AI predictions to adjust prices. Royal Air Maroc is partnering with Fetcherr to leverage their AI-driven pricing solution, which utilizes artificial intelligence to suggest price adjustments based on market predictions. Fetcherr is known for their innovative pricing and inventory management and believes that generative AI is the future of the airline industry. This partnership is a big step for Royal Air Maroc’s revenue management strategy and shows their commitment to improving operations and passenger experience.
- Simplifying insurance and screening for rentals. Safely has secured $8 million in funding. The Atlanta-based startup focuses on insurance and safety tools for homeowners and property managers who rent out their properties. Safely offers insurance policies that cover personal injury and property damage for rental properties. Additionally, the company also offers background checks on prospective guests by checking government records and criminal databases. Safely’s solutions are compatible with over 30 property management systems, automating insurance and screening procedures. Their future plans include expanding operations, with a focus on growth and potential expansion into Europe.