Holibob, a London-based e-commerce platform that specializes in tours and activities distribution, has recently received additional funding in its Series A round. The investment comes from Guinness Ventures, which typically invests between £1 million and £5 million in Series A funding and is known for participating in follow-on rounds.
As a PhocusWire Hot 25 Startup for 2023, the company plans to use the funds to enhance its technology, particularly its experiences marketing platform, to assist travel brands and destinations in selling experiences online. Craig Everett, CEO of Holibob, expressed excitement about Guinness Ventures joining the company and the opportunity to develop new methods for selling experiences to the right people at the right time. He acknowledged the dedication and innovation of the team, noting the achievement of securing institutional funding five years into the journey, and looks forward to continued innovation in the coming months.
Malcolm King, chief investment officer at Guinness Ventures, also highlighted the massive opportunity in capturing a larger share of online in-destination tours and activities sales. He cited the industry’s current fragmentation and offline nature as obstacles but believes that Holibob’s combination of technology and industry knowledge positions it well to seize this untapped opportunity. With this additional funding, Holibob can continue to develop innovative solutions that will help travel brands and destinations sell more experiences online.