19 Apr 2017

Freebird flies with $5 million as it eyes expansion in corporate travel

Freebird, a startup to help travellers rebook flights following disruption, has received a fresh cash injection of $5 million.

The funding comes from General Catalyst and Accomplice which also led the startup’s initial round of $3.5 million back in November 2015.

A number of travel industry angel investors, including TripIt founder Scott Hintz, also participated in the round which will be invested in Freebird’s expansion in the corporate travel segment.

Ellen Keszler, an advisor to the startup, and former president of Travelocity Business as well as GetThere, is also an investor.

The company recently signed partnerships with a number of travel management companies including Altour, Short’s Travel Management and Travel and Transport.

General Catalyst managing director Joel Cutler says Freebird is on to something.

“Interruptions in air travel are more common than any of us like. Freebird’s ability to detect problems and create instant alternatives is gaining great traction with TMCs and their corporate clients.”

Freebird works by charging travellers a fee to cover their flight in the event of delay, cancellation or other significant disruption.

The service sends travellers an alert about the flight to their mobile device and then enables them to rebook an alternative.

A number of startups are now building up around travel disruption with Roomstorm (Startup pitch here) providing access to extra hotel rooms.

Related reading:

Getting under the skin of airline disruption