Trivago Set to Acquire Holisto for Up to $60M

Trivago, the global hotel search platform, has acquired a 30% equity interest in the AI-driven travel technology startup Holisto for $10 million. According to an SEC filing published yesterday, the initial investment includes an option to purchase the remaining 70% equity interest within the next 15 months, with the maximum exercise price set at $60 million.

Founded in 2015 by Avi Wortzel, Eran Shust, and Shay Horovitz, Holisto, formerly known as Splitty, operates in the travel tech industry with its advanced hotel rate aggregation and white-label booking engine services.

Holisto’s journey has been marked by strategic growth and significant milestones. In 2020, the company merged with Cancelon, enhancing its technological capabilities and expanding its market reach. To date, Holisto has raised $6.8 million in funding, with its most recent Series A round completed in 2019. Key investors in the startup include Fozsun RZ, 11-11, Cockpit Innovation, Techstars, and 2B.VC.

Holisto's platform leverages artificial intelligence to deliver highly competitive rates and seamless booking experiences. The technology, refined over six years, scans, combines, and builds the best possible prices for hotel bookings, ensuring users get the best deals from the time of booking until check-in. The platform's commitment to continuous optimization helps travelers find better vacation deals and maintain savings even after booking.

Holisto claims its platform provides unparalleled deals, such as significant discounts on popular destinations like the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki in Honolulu, and continuously works to find better deals even after a booking is made. Developed by fellow travelers, Holisto’s technology is optimized to provide the best vacation deals through its proprietary Algo-travel technology, backed by 24/7 support and a best price guarantee.

Integrating Holisto’s AI-driven platform is expected to enhance Trivago's existing services, offering superior rate aggregation and booking solutions, ultimately benefiting consumers with better deals and a more streamlined booking process.