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JrnyOn
Using JrnyOn's platform, content creators and domain experts will be able to find and personalize curated journeys made available by regional service providers and invite their audiences to travel with them.
Founded in 2023, JrnyOn leverages technology to connect creators, travelers and the end service providers while also planning to incorporate AI into the trip-building process to make it easier for creators to customize journeys.
What is your 30-second pitch to investors?
We are building a platform that will enable content creators and
domain experts (chefs, wellness, adventurers, etc.) to find and personalize
curated journeys made available by regional service providers and invite their
audiences to travel with them.
JrnyOn empowers creators to travel with their audiences without
any of the logistical burden and provide customers a seamless experience from
beginning to end.
Location
London and Bengaluru, India
Describe both the business and technology aspects of your
startup.
Our platform will feature domain experts and content creators of
all genres, hosting immersive journeys all over the world. We cater to
travelers eager to find and travel with a community of people who share the
same interests — hosted by these passionate experts.
The tech is what brings it all together — the platform we are
building connects the creators, travelers and the end services providers.
We’re also in the process of incorporating artificial intelligence into our trip-building process to
make it easier for creators to customize journeys to add programs and workshops
showcasing their subject matter.
Give us your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the company.
Strengths:
The founding team’s extensive experience in travel and technology provides a strong foundation for the company.
Collaborations with creators and influencers across various genres enable the development of tailored, expert-led experiences.
The innovative technology platform sets the company apart in the industry.
Weaknesses:
As a brand-new company, market penetration is gradual, particularly with niche target audiences.
The new business model is untested on a large scale, requiring time to establish and build trust.
Opportunities:
The growing influence of social media networks and the rise of content creators offer a vast market to tap into.
The demand for curated, expert-led, community-focused travel is increasing, driven by a maturing audience’s desire for experiential travel.
Threats:
Economic uncertainty and potential travel restrictions pose risks to growth and operations in a volatile global environment.
Competition from established travel companies and platforms challenges market entry and expansion efforts.
What are the travel pain points you are trying to alleviate
from both the customer and the industry perspective?
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Domain experts and influencers often
struggle to create and lead travel experiences due to logistical challenges.
Their passion and expertise are clear, but organizing these trips has been a
significant barrier. Our platform addresses this issue, allowing creators to
lead immersive journeys with their audiences without the logistical hassles.
We also discover small experience
providers in remote areas with incredible local knowledge and unique offerings
that need broader exposure. By bringing these providers onto our platform and
connecting them with creators, we enhance the authenticity and depth of our
travel experiences.
So you've got the product, now how will you get lots of
customers?
Our model is fundamentally collaborative, designed to leverage
the existing audiences of creators. These creators, with their established
followings, naturally bring their audiences to our platform, creating a
seamless integration of both creators and their followers. This organic process
would result in a community of end customers that includes both the creators
and their audiences. By connecting these two groups, our platform aims to
foster a vibrant ecosystem where both creators and their followers benefit.
Tell us what process you've gone through to establish a
genuine need for your company and the size of the addressable market.
Starting in January, we worked closely with domain
experts and creators to understand their needs and those of their audiences.
This is a crucial step for us to create journeys that both enhance value for
audiences and meet the preferences of creators. Our adaptable model is designed
to be implemented worldwide, ensuring that it can accommodate diverse
requirements.
How and when will you make money?
Even though we are in the early stages, we have begun to see
significant traction. In January, we launched our basic platform and introduced
multi-day experiences with 10-15 experts. We are already experiencing
considerable revenue and growth, demonstrating strong early success. This
momentum underscores the potential and effectiveness of our model as we
continue to expand and refine our offerings.
What are the backgrounds and previous achievements of the
founding team?
Our chairman, Phil Otterson, brings a wealth of experience from
his distinguished career in the travel industry. Before joining JrnyOn, Phil
served as president of Abercrombie & Kent USA.
One of our founders, Sanjith Mukund, comes with 24 years of
experience in hospitality and travel, operating tours worldwide. Prior to
founding JrnyOn, Sanjith worked at Tauck USA for 18 years, researching and
developing travel experiences.
Our second founder, Vidyanand Murunnikara, brings the technical
expertise with a background in software engineering. He is also the founder of
a successful tech company based in India. Sanjith and Vidyanand have been friends since high school.
Anjanna Sanjith, our co-founder, comes from a banking background and has over 10 years of
experience running various travel companies.
How have you addressed diversity and inclusion within your
business?
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our business
approach. Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a
broad range of experiences and perspectives.
In curating our experiential journeys, we partner with local and
regional service providers unique to the areas we operate in, ensuring that our
offerings are enriched by authentic, diverse perspectives from around the
world. This approach not only supports local economies but also provides our
customers with a richer, more varied experience.
Our collaborators, creators, and domain experts come from
diverse fields and cultural backgrounds, bringing a wide array of expertise and
viewpoints to the experiences we offer. Looking to the future, our long-term
vision includes bringing regional service providers from remote and
under-represented parts of the world to the forefront. By connecting these
providers with creators, we aim to highlight their unique offerings and broaden
their reach, fostering a more inclusive and diverse global travel landscape.
What's been the most difficult part of founding the business
so far?
The most challenging aspects of founding the business have
included transitioning the founding team from stable careers to starting anew
with JrnyOn. This shift has involved embracing
the risks and uncertainties of launching a startup, which has been both a major
life change and a substantial personal and professional adjustment.
Another challenge has been standing out in a crowded travel
industry, where established players dominate and rates often drive decisions.
Additionally, overcoming the lack of initial brand awareness to onboard
creators and establish trust has proven challenging. Finally, educating customers about the value of immersive
experiences in a crowded travel space has been a critical task.
Generally, travel startups face a fairly tough time making an
impact - so why are you going to be one of the lucky ones?
Travel startups often face significant challenges in making an
impact, but our unique collaborative model sets us apart. By leveraging the
existing audiences of creators and influencers, we create a built-in network
that fosters organic growth and virality. This distinctive approach positions
us to stay ahead of the game by continuously engaging and expanding our
community.
A year from now, what state do you think your startup will be
in?
Flourishing and 10 times bigger.
What is your end-game (going public, acquisition, growing and
staying private, etc.)?
At this stage, our primary focus is on building a robust platform that serves creators worldwide and ensures customer satisfaction with our curated travel experiences. Our endgame is to become the leading name in curated travel, the first thought that comes to mind when people think of exceptional travel experiences. In the longer term, we remain open to various possibilities for the future, including going public, acquisition or staying private, depending on what aligns best with our vision and mission at the time.
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