Travelstart

Cape Town, South Africa Founded: 1999 • Age: 27 yrs Acquired By Etraveli
Online travel agency based out of South Africa
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About Travelstart

Travelstart is a company based in Cape Town (South Africa) founded in 1999 was acquired by Etraveli in January 2010.. Travelstart has raised $40 million across 2 funding rounds from investors including MTN, HarbourVest Partners and Etraveli. Travelstart has completed 4 acquisitions, including Club Travel, Club Travel Group and Jumia Travel. Travelstart operates in a competitive market with competitors including MakeMyTrip, Despegar, Traveloka, Priceline and Lastminute, among others.

  • Headquarter Cape Town, South Africa
  • Sectors
    Travel & Hospitality
  • Email
    ***********
  • Phone
    *********
  • Website
    *********
  • Social
    *********
Operational Areas
Travel & Hospitality → Hospitality & Travel Technology
Key Metrics
  • Annual Revenue
  • Net Profit
  • EBITDA
  • Total Equity Funding
    $40 M (USD)

    in 2 rounds

  • Latest Funding Round
  • Investors
    MTN

    & 3 more

  • Employee Count
    Employee Count
  • Investments & Acquisitions
    Club Travel

    & 3 more

  • Acquired by
    Etraveli

    (Jan 01, 2010)

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Funding Insights of Travelstart

Travelstart has successfully raised a total of $40M across 2 strategic funding rounds. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.

  • Total Funding
  • Total Rounds 2
  • Last Round
  • First Round

    (03 Feb 2016)

  • Investors Count 3
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
May, 2019 Amount Private Equity Round - Travelstart Valuation HarbourVest Partners
Feb, 2016 Amount Private Equity Round - Travelstart Valuation Amadeus Capital
MTN
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Investors in Travelstart

Travelstart has secured backing from 4 investors, including venture fund and institutional investors. Prominent investors backing the company include MTN, HarbourVest Partners and Etraveli. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.

All
Venture Fund
Institutional
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
Private market investment solutions are offered to institutional clients.
Founded Year Domain Location
Early-stage deep technology investments are made by Amadeus Capital.
Founded Year Domain Location
MTN Group is recognized as a leading telecommunications provider in Africa.
Founded Year Domain Location
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
Founded Year Domain Location
Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
Founded Year Domain Location

Investments & Acquisitions by Travelstart

Travelstart has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 4 companies. Notable acquisitions include Club Travel, Club Travel Group and Jumia Travel. These strategic investments and acquisitions demonstrate the company's commitment to growth through portfolio expansion, market consolidation, technology integration, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning and drive long-term value creation.

Investments
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Acquisitions
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Online travel agency
2013
Accommodation bookings are provided via an online marketplace platform.
1999
Provider of club holiday travel packages. This company offers curated travel packages focused on club holidays. They facilitate the booking and arrangement of these trips, handling logistics and potentially offering additional services related to the holiday experience. The focus is on providing a complete and organized travel solution for club holiday vacations.
1987
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
OVO is recognized as a smart digital payment application.
2017
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014

Financial Statements - Travelstart

Tata Steel revenue growth over time
Tata Steel profit and loss trends over time
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Travelstart Comparisons

Employees
+
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Competitors of Travelstart

Travelstart operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as MakeMyTrip, Despegar, Traveloka, Priceline and Lastminute, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.

Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Online bookings for flights, hotels, and travel packages are facilitated.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple travel services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple travel services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Travel services are booked via an AI-powered platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Last-minute bookings for travel and entertainment are facilitated online.
domain founded_year HQ Location
Online platform providing multiple travel booking services
Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
domain founded_year HQ Location
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.

Latest news on Travelstart

Frequently Asked Questions about Travelstart

When was Travelstart founded?

Travelstart was founded in 1999 and raised its 1st funding round 17 years after it was founded.

Where is Travelstart located?

Travelstart is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. It is registered at Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

Is Travelstart a funded company?

Travelstart is a funded company, having raised a total of $40M across 2 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Private Equity Round of $40M, raised on Feb 03, 2016.

What does Travelstart do?

Travelstart was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. Operations are conducted as an online travel agency in the tourism sector, where bookings for flights, hotels, and car rentals are enabled across worldwide destinations. Mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms are provided to support user access. Recognition as Africas leading online travel agency was received in 2016 at the World Travel Awards.

Who are the top competitors of Travelstart?

Travelstart's top competitors include MakeMyTrip, Ixigo and Despegar.

How many acquisitions has Travelstart made?

Travelstart has made 4 acquisitions, including Club Travel, Club Travel Group, and Jumia Travel.

Who are Travelstart's investors?

Travelstart has 4 investors. Key investors include MTN, HarbourVest Partners, Etraveli, and Amadeus Capital Partners.

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