Travel-focused AI startup TravelFlan raises $7m in series A round

TravelFlan, a Hong Kong-based travel and lifestyle solutions provider backed by AI, announced it has raised US$7 million in a series A funding round led by Sogong PinPoint Kclavis AI Travel Tech Fund, an investment arm of Lazard Korea.

Artesian Capital, Linear Venture, Construction-Radiant Tech Ventures Fund, the Hong Kong government’s ITVFC fund, as well as SOSV and its Chinaccelerator also participated in the round.

Photo credit: TravelFlan

Founded in 2015, TravelFlan uses AI and big data to create solutions for both businesses and consumers, according to a statement.

Its core solutions include a text-based and voice-enabled AI personal concierge, a supply chain and inventory management system, a big data analytical engine, and an inventory aggregator/processor.

TravelFlan claims to have partnerships with over 100 content and product suppliers such as Klook, KKday, Travelport, and SmartInfini. Currently, the startup is working with companies including China Mobile, Samsung Group, SITA, and Hong Kong Airlines, among others to tackle their revenue and customer experience issues.

“Since we launched our B2B2C-focused AI digital solutions at the beginning of 2018, we have seen an increasing demand in the region. TravelFlan aims to bring their solutions to a much broader audience and adopt in-depth local strategies to provide more high-quality service to our clients,” TravelFlan CEO and co-founder Abel Zhao said.

According to a report, outbound travel from Asia rose by 6% between January and August 2019, cementing the region’s position as the biggest growth driver of the international tourism market. And despite an anticipated decline in year-on-year growth, the prospects for 2020 remain good.

TravelFlan is an alum of SOSV’s Chinaccelerator Batch 16 and 500 Startups’ Batch 17.