Mindtrip’s $19M Boost Makes Travel Planning as Fun as the Trip

Travel planning has always been a mixed bag of excitement and frustration—finding the perfect destination, comparing countless flight options, and piecing together an itinerary can be overwhelming. 

Mindtrip, a startup that’s shaking up the travel tech industry with a revolutionary approach to planning and booking travel experiences. Launched in 2023, Mindtrip is set to redefine how we organize our adventures, using cutting-edge artificial intelligence to turn travel dreams into seamless realities.

“Where ChatGPT stops at text suggestions, Mindtrip incorporates photos, maps, pricing and availability data that lets someone actually plan and book their complete travel itinerary leveraging generative AI” says Moss.

Founding Vision and Leadership

The seeds for Mindtrip were sown by a dynamic team of 12 co-founders, including seasoned entrepreneurs and tech industry veterans. Among them are Andy Moss and Trey Matteson, known for their successful venture Roadster, a vehicle e-commerce platform sold to CDK Global for $360 million in 2021. Joining them is Garrick Toubassi, who previously led Google’s Gmail engineering team and has extensive experience with AI and large language models (LLMs).

Andy Moss, the CEO of Mindtrip, elaborates on their groundbreaking vision: “We saw an opportunity to create one place where people could combine the ability to discover, plan, and book. Where ChatGPT stops at text suggestions, Mindtrip incorporates photos, maps, pricing, and availability data that lets someone actually plan and book their complete travel itinerary leveraging generative AI.”

AI-Powered Travel Planning

At the core of Mindtrip’s platform is its AI-powered assistant, which redefines the travel planning process. Users can interact with the AI in natural language, asking questions about destinations, flights, hotels, restaurants, and tours. What sets Mindtrip apart is its integration of real-time travel data, making it a one-stop shop for inspiration and practical planning.

Key features include:

• High-Quality Photography: Immersive images that bring destinations to life.
• Interactive Maps: Detailed maps of destinations to help users visualize their trips.
• Real-Time Pricing and Availability: Up-to-date information for making informed decisions.
• Customizable Itineraries: Tailor-made travel plans based on user preferences.

Moss points out, “People don’t plan travel in a linear fashion, yet the travel industry continues to offer only platforms that do just that.”

The Start Anywhere Feature

Mindtrip recently introduced a new feature called “Start Anywhere,” designed to streamline the itinerary creation process. This tool allows users to build travel plans from various online sources, including Reddit posts, blogs, YouTube videos, TikTok clips, and Instagram posts. Users can:

• Insert Links or Upload Screenshots: Convert online content into actionable travel plans.
• View Suggestions on a Map: Easily save and organize favorite destinations.

Additionally, Mindtrip has launched a creator program where travel content creators can generate Mindtrip links, share their recommendations, and potentially earn up to $10,000 per month. This program also includes a revenue-sharing model for bookings made through creator-generated itineraries.

Funding and Growth

Mindtrip has attracted significant investment to fuel its growth:

• Seed Round (September 2023): Raised $7 million led by Costanoa Ventures.
• Second Round (September 2024): Secured an additional $12 million, bringing the total funding to $19 million.

This capital injection has provided Mindtrip with a solid runway to refine its product and expand its market presence. As of September 2024, the company reports active monthly users in the six-figure range, signaling strong initial traction.

Demographic Targeting and Future Plans

Mindtrip’s platform appeals especially to a younger audience, with its largest user group being 25-34 years old, reflecting an understanding of early technology adopters’ needs. The company plans to:

• Develop a Mobile App: An iOS app to complement the web platform.
• Introduce Group Chat: For collaborative trip planning.
• Expand Partnerships: With more travel industry players.

Mindtrip faces competition from both established giants and emerging AI startups, but Moss is confident in the company’s ability to innovate and adapt rapidly. He notes, “We believe that planning for the adventure should be as fun as the adventure itself.”

Future Plans and Challenges

Looking ahead, Mindtrip has several exciting plans:

• Mobile App Development: An iOS app to complement their web platform.
• Group Chat Feature: For collaborative trip planning with friends and family.
• Expanded Partnerships: To integrate with more travel industry players.

The travel tech space is competitive, with both established giants and emerging AI-powered startups vying for attention. However, Moss is confident in Mindtrip’s ability to innovate rapidly and meet evolving user needs.

Mindtrip stands at the forefront of transforming travel planning through AI. By combining the personalized touch of traditional travel agents with the convenience of online booking and advanced AI technology, Mindtrip is set to make a lasting impact in the travel tech sector. With strong funding, an experienced leadership team, and a commitment to creating a seamless, personalized experience, Mindtrip is poised to redefine the way we plan and book our travels.

As Greg Sands, Managing Partner at Costanoa Ventures, succinctly puts it, “We couldn’t imagine a better team to create an app to improve how every person we know makes their travel plans.” Indeed, with its innovative approach and ambitious goals, Mindtrip is not just planning travel; it’s transforming it.