Smartvel Company Profile

Background

Overview

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Smartvel is a B2B Content MarTech company specializing in AI-driven content solutions for the travel industry. The company leverages artificial and human intelligence to provide high-quality, personalized content that enhances customer experiences across various digital touchpoints. Smartvel's mission is to deliver the right content at the right time, empowering clients to engage their customers effectively throughout the travel journey.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To generate high-quality content leveraging artificial and human intelligence, delivering the right content at the right time, and right where each customer needs it.

Vision: To be the top content-as-a-service provider, offering comprehensive and limitless solutions across channels, sectors, and content types, pushing boundaries by embracing new formats, staying at the forefront of technology, and adapting to consumer trends.

Key Strategic Focus

Smartvel's strategic focus centers on enhancing customer experience and SEO through AI-powered digital solutions and meaningful content. The company specializes in providing destination content solutions to major players in the tourism industry, including airlines, tourism bureaus, hotel chains, and online travel agencies (OTAs). By integrating proprietary technology capable of gathering live content from destinations worldwide, Smartvel aims to improve digital touchpoints and provide a better customer experience throughout all stages of the customer journey.

Financials and Funding

As of October 2024, Smartvel has raised a total of $4.8 million in funding. The company achieved positive EBITDA in 2018, growing at a ratio of 3x on Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). This financial growth has enabled Smartvel to expand its solutions worldwide and invest in technological advancements.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Smartvel's proprietary technology is a data-centric solution built entirely in-house, powered by custom and optimized engines that transform non-relational data from over 1,000 sources into highly relational and action-driven knowledge. The AI-driven platform gathers, classifies, curates, and translates content from thousands of websites, supporting more than 20 languages to ensure a global reach. This comprehensive collection, combined with state-of-the-art data architecture and infrastructure, positions Smartvel as an industry leader in delivering personalized and up-to-date travel content.

Leadership Team

Iñigo Valenzuela: CEO & Founder

IESE PDG Program, INSEAD, and LSE studies. Former C-Level Executive in the travel sector, managing up to €500 million in sales and a team of 700 employees.

Esperanza Zarauz: CFO

Former C-Level executive in WPP and Prisa Group, with a strong background in finance. ICADE graduate with initial experience at Arthur Andersen in auditing.

Miguel Camacho: CTO

Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and Electrical Engineer from the University of Illinois. Expertise in ETL businesses and AI, with experience in a successful startup in Chicago.

Alberto Lavandeira: CCO

Aeronautical Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and current IE MBA student. Strong leadership and innovation profile.

Belén Romero: COO

Civil Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and IESE program in Operations Management. High operations profile, acting as product owner, overseeing implementations, and quality control.

Leadership Changes

In July 2023, Smartvel completed its first M&A operation by acquiring ArrivalGuides AB, a long-time respected competitor based in Gothenburg, Sweden. This strategic move solidified Smartvel's position as a market leader in the B2B Destination Content category.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The travel content solutions market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for personalized and up-to-date information by travelers. Companies in this sector are leveraging AI and big data to provide comprehensive content that enhances customer engagement and satisfaction.

Competitor Analysis

Adara: Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Adara operates in the software, internet, and computer services field, similar to Smartvel. Adara has approximately 50 more employees than Smartvel.

Fiz: Established in 2011 and based in Kent, England, Fiz operates in the software, internet, and computer services sector. Fiz generates $2.9 million less revenue compared to Smartvel.

Stackla: Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Stackla operates in the digital marketing and publishing space. Stackla has approximately 10 more employees than Smartvel.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Smartvel has established significant collaborations to strengthen its market position and innovation capacity:

Spanish Aviation Tech Hub (SATH): In September 2024, Smartvel became a founding member of SATH, a consortium of leading technology companies in the

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