By Kara Ohngren
photos: courtesy of Zozi
Top-flight travel: Kayaker Tao Berman
Twenty people tore up Squaw Valley with Olympic gold-medal
skier Jonny Moseley. National Geographic explorer Mireya Mayor led a
small group on a wildlife "safari" through California's wine country. A
group of thrill-seekers sharpened their whitewater skills in Nevada's
Truckee River with world-record kayaker Tao Berman. These are the types
of once-in-a-lifetime adventures, guided by celebrity gurus, that have
helped drive zozi to rapidly multiplying revenue, backed by $11 million
in venture funding.
"No other company has built an online platform that easily connects
anyone to some of the most unattainable people in the world to go on
experiences that will give you a lifetime of stories to tell," says T.J.
Sassani, founder of the San Francisco-based company. "Zozi is ultimately a discovery engine that makes bite-sized adventures accessible to all kinds of people."
When the site launched in 2010, it specialized in discounted nonguided
quests, like a tour of medieval castles in Ireland, a five-day surf and
spa retreat in Baja or the chance to hang glide to a beach picnic. But
Sassani says he's growing the business to also focus on unique,
full-price celebrity excursions, starting at $300. Zozi's niche is in
creating short adventure trips that aren't available anywhere else.
The site operates in 19 U.S. markets, and its user base is approaching 1
million. Sassani will not disclose revenue, which comes through shares
with merchants and partners, but says it grew 700 percent last year.
Venture capitalists are clawing for a piece of the exploding tech travel
sector. Last year zozi raised $7 million in Series B funding from
investors that included LaunchCapital; meanwhile, San Francisco-based
travel search site Hipmunk raised $4.2 million and Seattle-based flight
tracker Yapta locked down $5 million.
LaunchCapital co-founder and managing director Elon Boms says his firm
was looking for a concept that could be a category leader through true
innovation. "They've done just that. Zozi is unlike any other company in
the tech travel space," he says. "Zozi is pioneering the future of
travel and entertainment, and as VCs that excites us." He adds that
leadership in the fragmented but huge U.S. travel activities
market--worth $26.8 billion in 2009, according to PhoCusWright, host of
the annual Travel Innovation Summit--will be "driven by a brand that
both customers and merchants embrace, one that stands for quality and is
used not as a bargain hunter but as a tool for discovery."
PhoCusWright senior technology analyst Bob Offutt agrees that the time
is right for investment in travel companies with a tech component.
"There's a sense that there's some gold to be found if you mine the
right mines in this category," he says. "VCs feel there's opportunity to
move the needle and come up with new ideas that will shift share to
something more appropriate for the 21st century."
More Travel Brilliance: Online Help for Your Next Trip
1. WeHostels: This social booking site for hostels (and beds and couches) allows travelers to connect before their trip begins.
2. Ogomo: A business traveler's dream, this online store offers travel-size products that can be delivered directly to hotel rooms.
3. Tortuga Backpacks:
A traveler exploring Paris doesn't necessarily need a rugged backpack
fit for traversing the Himalayas. The carry-on-size Tortuga is designed
for long-term urban trips.
4: Traveler's Joy:
Register for "experiences" on this online honeymoon registry that has
partnerships with The Knot, WeddingChannel and WeddingWire. Couples
choose a dream destination, and friends and family contribute money
toward their travel expenses, accommodations, dining and activities.
5. IMGuest:
Business travelers who check in at their hotel on this free social
networking platform can browse for like-minded guests and set up
face-to-face meetings.
6. SpareOne: Ideal for travel or emergencies, this spare cell phone runs on a single AA battery and provides up to 10 hours of talk time.
7. Nanny in the Clouds: Matches parents with experienced nannies already booked on the same flight who can help take care of kids during air travel.
8. Hotel Tonight: Negotiates discounted rates for last-minute stays at curated properties.
9. OceanGate:
This submarine operation funds marine research through "citizen
scientists" who pay for the privilege of working alongside
oceanographers as they explore the deep sea.
SOURCE: www.secondact.com
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