How Much Did Safara Raise? Funding & Key Investors

Safara has successfully raised funding over five rounds, with notable investors including Thayer Ventures, Defy.vc, and Sequoia Capital. The platform offers curated boutique hotels and a unique cashback rewards program, reshaping the way consumers book hotels.

Keep reading to explore the intricacies of Safara's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.

What Is Safara?

Safara is a private company based in Los Angeles, California, operating in the hotel, marketplace, SaaS, and travel industries. The platform offers a curated selection of boutique hotels and a unique cashback rewards program, reshaping the way consumers book hotels.

With a workforce of 11-50 employees, Safara empowers independent hotels and provides a highly-vetted hotel curation service. The company has raised funding through multiple rounds and has acquired another company named Skipper.

How Much Funding Has Safara Raised?

1. Round Name: Pre-Seed
   • Amount Raised: USD 400,000
   • Date: April 2018
   • Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
   • Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
   • Motivation Behind the Round: Initial funding to develop the platform and launch the service.
2. Round Name: Pre-Seed
   • Amount Raised: USD 800,000
   • Date: April 2019
   • Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
   • Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
   • Motivation Behind the Round: To expand the platform's features and increase market presence.
3. Round Name: Pre-Seed
   • Amount Raised: USD 2,100,000
   • Date: August 2021
   • Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
   • Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
   • Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance technology and prepare for larger funding rounds.
4. Round Name: Seed
   • Amount Raised: USD 4,000,000
   • Date: September 2022
   • Lead Investors: Defy.vc, Sequoia Capital
   • Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
   • Motivation Behind the Round: To scale product development and increase the number of hotels using the platform.
5. Round Name: Series Unknown
   • Amount Raised: USD 7,300,000
   • Date: December 2024
   • Lead Investors: Defy.vc, Sequoia Capital
   • Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
   • Motivation Behind the Round: To further accelerate growth and innovation, including the acquisition of Skipper.

Total Amount Raised: USD 14,600,000. Current Valuation: Not publicly disclosed.

Key Investors

• Defy.vc
  • Details: Defy.vc is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on seed and Series A investments. The firm aims to support founders with a long-term vision and disruptive business models.
  • Investment Focus Areas: Early-stage companies, technology, consumer services.
  • Notable Investments: Flock Freight, Owl Labs, Ironclad.
• Sequoia Capital
  • Details: Sequoia Capital is a global venture capital firm investing in seed, early, and growth-stage companies. The firm has a history of backing companies that become market leaders.
  • Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, consumer services.
  • Notable Investments: Google, Apple, Airbnb.
• Thayer Ventures
  • Details: Thayer Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in technology companies in the travel and transportation sectors. The firm aims to support innovative solutions in these industries.
  • Investment Focus Areas: Travel, transportation, technology.
  • Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
• H20
  • Details: H20 is an investor in Safara, but specific details about the firm are not publicly disclosed.
  • Investment Focus Areas: Not publicly disclosed.
  • Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.

What's Next for Safara?

Safara's future looks promising with the integration of Skipper's technology, which will enhance its hotel booking platform and offer a seamless shopping experience for independent hotels. This strategic move opens up significant opportunities, as Safara now has over 1 million bookable properties globally and drives over $100 million in annualized gross merchandising volume.

As the company scales its product development and increases the number of hotels on its platform, future fundraising opportunities seem likely. The recent successful funding round and strong investor confidence suggest that additional capital could be secured to support further growth and innovation. However, Safara may face challenges such as integrating new technologies and competing with established hotel booking platforms.

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