YGO Raises €8M to Scale AI Travel Bookings

The big picture: German travel technology startup YGO, which connects travel suppliers with AI agents to enable direct bookings, has raised €8 million in a Series A funding round led by Ventech.

Why it matters:

• Disrupting Intermediaries: YGO aims to reduce the travel industry’s reliance on online travel agencies, which can retain 15% to 25% of each booking.
• Cost Reduction: By enabling direct bookings through AI agents, suppliers can lower distribution costs and maintain control over customer relationships.
• Proven Impact: The platform has already demonstrated increased conversion rates (up to 20%) and reduced manual operations (up to 90%) for airline customers.

How it works:

• AI Agent Integration: YGO’s infrastructure connects airlines, hotels, and tour operators with AI-powered search, recommendation, and booking channels.
• Fragmented Inventory: The platform structures diverse travel inventory, making it accessible to AI agents without requiring suppliers to replace existing systems.
• Direct Sales Channel: It allows travel suppliers to offer and sell services directly through emerging AI-driven channels, bypassing traditional intermediaries.

The catch: The travel tech market is highly competitive, with established online travel agencies and new AI-driven solutions vying for market share. YGO’s success hinges on its ability to rapidly onboard a critical mass of suppliers and demonstrate compelling ROI against entrenched distribution models.

Key Facts

• Company: YGO
• Amount: €8M
• Round: Series A
• Investors: Ventech (lead), Sake Bosch, Caesar Capital, Business Angels
• Founders: Julian Kögel, Willi Ibbeken, Sebastian Kreutzberger
• Sector: AI-powered Travel Booking Infrastructure
• Headquarters: Germany