AI startup Airial turns travel TikToks into bookable itineraries. Read its pitch deck that helped it land $3 million.
In addition to deriving itineraries from TikToks, Instagram Reels, and travel blogs, users can make and refine plans by entering information about their interests, budgets, and schedules.
"People don't want cookie-cutter trips," Airial cofounder and CTO Sanjeev Shenoy told Business Insider. "They want all of this heavily customized, and they want the rest of the pieces to be handled seamlessly."
The roughly two-year-old company was cofounded by Shenoy and Archit Karandikar, both avid travelers who left their engineering jobs at Meta and Waymo, respectively, to build Airial. The San Francisco-based company, with offices in India, has nine employees.
After launching a public beta last year, a mobile app will come in the third quarter, said Karandikar, Airial's CEO.
Rather than producing a basic list of activities, Karandikar said Airial uses AI reasoning, which drills down into "the hundreds of little constraints and dependencies that come up" while planning a trip. This includes logistics like choosing the closest airports and hotels to desired sites and the best connections for buses and trains.
Airial isn't the only startup looking to use AI to change the massive online travel agencies market. AI competitors include Mindtrip and Layla, while established players like Expedia are also forging partnerships with OpenAI and Google.
Karandikar said Airial focuses on user growth and eventually plans to make money by sharing revenue on hotel bookings and flights. It's also exploring advertising, freemium AI features, and a creator program where influencers can sell their itineraries.
Here's a look at the pitch deck that Airial Travel used to raise $3 million in seed funding.
"Just imagine your trip, and Airial it!"
"Retention is key to both margin and scale. The personal touch drives retention in travel."
"We understand AI, Optimization, and Social Products."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
29 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
HBCU Creates Research Foundation to Power Itself to R2 Status
Grambling State University has launched a bold initiative to strengthen its national research profile. On July 2, the Louisiana-based HBCU introduced the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation, known as GR2. This new nonprofit aims to accelerate the university's push toward R2 classification, deepen its research efforts, and create long-term financial stability. The foundation is a core part of Grambling State's upcoming 2026 strategic plan, which emphasizes innovation, graduate education, and strategic partnerships. By establishing GR2, the university signals a clear intent to lead among HBCUs in research, resource development, and academic excellence. "GR2 is the engine behind our next chapter," said Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr., President of Grambling State. "It represents not just a commitment to excellence, but a belief in the transformational power of HBCUs to lead in discovery, technology, and equitable access." Grambling State has seen consistent growth in fundraising over the past few years. For example, its most recent 1901 Day of Giving generated a record-breaking $711,907. Annual campaigns have also shown increased participation, reflecting stronger engagement from alumni and supporters. "Our top fundraising priority remains what it has always been-scholarships for our students," Lemelle added. "Now, GR2 gives us the tools to think bigger and build smarter. Whether we are supporting a first-generation college student, launching a new research lab, or establishing an endowed faculty chair, this foundation allows us to drive forward." The GR2 Foundation will be governed by a diverse and experienced board. The group includes alumni with law, finance, healthcare, and engineering expertise. Their combined insight strengthens the foundation's ability to make strategic decisions quickly and effectively to pursue R2 classification. The board features: Jon-Al Duplantier ('89), a corporate board director and former energy executiveAdonis Ducre ('04), a healthcare entrepreneur and M&A strategistEric Moses ('01), a finance leader at Shell North AmericaKourtni Mason ('08), a legal and risk management expertPortia Singh ('07), a biomedical engineer and HealthTech innovator In addition, the Grambling State University has appointed faculty, staff, students, and finance representatives. Brandon A. Logan, Vice President for University Advancement and Innovation, is now GR2's Executive Director. "This foundation gives us the agility to act on opportunity," Logan said. "We now have the infrastructure to scale our impact and the vision to shape the future of this HBCU." Grambling State has secured more than $12 million in recent research-related funding. The university received $7 million from the National Science Foundation and $500,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. These funds support faculty innovation, graduate research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. "Our recent growth in external funding is no accident," said Theodore Callier, Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs. "It reflects careful planning and bold execution. GR2 allows us to expand even further. We can now move faster, form stronger partnerships, and respond more strategically to new opportunities." The Carnegie Classification designates R2 status for universities that demonstrate high research activity. To qualify, institutions must: Spend at least $5 million annually on researchAward 20 or more doctoral degrees each yearSustain graduate-level infrastructure and support Grambling State is already aligning with these standards. Its Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Administration is active, and the university is expanding doctoral offerings in sustainability, quantum computing, and nursing. "With GR2, we can now better support our doctoral programs," said Dr. Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. "We'll offer more research funding, fellowships, and facilities. R2 is not just a title-it's a benchmark of our progress." Through GR2, Grambling State University is making its intentions known. The university is ready to compete nationally, partner strategically, and grow sustainably. "GR2 is our promise," Logan said. "To every investor, researcher, and partner: Grambling State is ready. Whether you're contributing to a scholarship, backing a research fellowship, or investing in campus development, you can count on this HBCU to deliver results." Grambling's investment in GR2 marks a critical step in its evolution. More importantly, it sends a message: this HBCU is focused, future-ready, and built for long-term impact. The post HBCU Creates Research Foundation to Power Itself to R2 Status appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lime's Long-Awaited IPO Is Finally on Track: Uber-Backed Scooter Startup Reports $686M Revenue and 'Cash Flow Positivity'
Lime, the electric bike and scooter rental startup backed by Uber (NYSE:UBER), has hired Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) to prepare for a U.S. initial public offering expected to launch next year, Reuters reports. Founded in 2017, Lime operates in more than 280 cities across nearly 30 countries, offering short-term rentals for electric bikes and scooters. According to Reuters, the San Francisco-based startup has been considering a public listing for several years, but the current uptick in IPO activity may provide a timely window to execute the move. Don't Miss: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. In February, Lime reported a 32% increase in net revenue, reaching $686 million for 2024. The company also confirmed that it was free cash flow positive for the second year in a row, a rare feat in the micromobility sector, which has historically struggled to stay afloat. Lime CEO Wayne Ting described 2024 as "an exceptional year" for the company, citing strong results across key financial and operational metrics, including record profits and expanded global reach. 'We grew profits faster than revenue in 2024, posting another record year of results through serving more than 24 million riders in hundreds of communities around the world and bringing Lime to more cities globally,' Ting said in a statement. 'While we saw record demand in 2024, we're just scratching the surface of micromobility's potential to transform cities and better connect people.' Trending: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — According to Reuters, the potential IPO follows a broader rebound in the U.S. public listing market, which raised nearly $27 billion in 2024 so far, a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. Although the total still falls short of the 2021 record of $177 billion, companies like Circle Internet (NYSE:CRCL), which recently raised over $1 billion through an IPO, have signaled growing investor interest in growth-stage tech firms, Reuters says. Lime's IPO may test investor sentiment in the micromobility space, where competitors like Bird have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, Reuters reports. Unlike others in its category, Lime received prior investment from Uber and is among the few micromobility firms still pursuing public markets. Uber led a funding round for Lime in 2020, at which time the company was reportedly valued at $510 million. According to Reuters, sources familiar with the matter expect the upcoming IPO to value Lime significantly higher than its last reported valuation, although exact figures have not yet been sustainability remains a core focus for Lime as it scales globally. According to the company, Lime riders helped avoid an estimated 20,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions in the last year by replacing car trips with shared electric vehicles. Lime estimates its service replaced over 43 million car trips in 2024 and prevented the consumption of roughly 2.2 million gallons of gasoline, equal to approximately 8.5 million liters. The company says it also continues to lower its own operational footprint. By offering electric scooters and bikes for trips under five miles, Lime says it aims to shift the way urban communities move while supporting city efforts to reduce traffic congestion and meet climate goals. Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?. Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Lime's Long-Awaited IPO Is Finally on Track: Uber-Backed Scooter Startup Reports $686M Revenue and 'Cash Flow Positivity' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Affirm Holdings (AFRM) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike. While you may have an investing style you rely on, finding great stocks is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores. These are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and/or momentum characteristics. Momentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Affirm Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company specializing in payment solutions that provide consumers with flexible, transparent installment loans — both interest-free and interest-bearing — at the point of sale. By partnering with a diverse range of merchants, Affirm enables customers to pay for purchases over time. AFRM sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), holds a Momentum Style Score of B, and has a VGM Score of B. The stock is up 3.4% and up 24.2% over the past one-week and four-week period, respectively, and Affirm Holdings has gained 138.8% in the last one-year period as well. Additionally, an average of 5,613,633 shares were traded over the last 20 trading sessions. A company's earnings performance is important for momentum investors as well. For fiscal 2025, four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for AFRM, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.12 to $0.03 per share. AFRM also boasts an average earnings surprise of 102.2%. Investors should take the time to consider AFRM for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings metrics, and impressive Momentum and VGM Style Scores. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
