Busbud
| File:Busbud Logo.png | |
Type of site | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | |
| Key people | LP Maurice, CEO |
| Industry | Software, Travel, Internet |
| Employees | 35+ (2015) |
| URL | busbud.com |
Busbud is a worldwide bus and coach travel company that allows travellers to search, compare, and book intercity bus tickets.[1] Busbud operates throughout Europe, South America, North America, Africa, and other destinations. It partners with bus and coach operators to provide a search engine and a booking platform via its website and mobile app. Busbud serves 10,463 cities in 89 countries, in 10 languages, and 21 currencies.[2]
Company
History
Busbud was founded after CEO and co-founder, LP Maurice,[3] spent 2011 backpacking throughout South America. He faced many difficulties finding and booking reliable inter-city buses throughout the continent and began drafting a business plan on a 10-hour bus ride in Argentina. He then came back to Montreal and founded Busbud with longtime friends, Michael Gradek (CTO and Microsoft Bing veteran) and Frederic Thouin (CAO).[4] The company acts as a reseller, but also provides support on the bus tickets that are sold.[5]
Funding rounds and advisory board
Backed by venture and angel investors, Busbud has an advisory board made up of Expedia Board Member and Managing Partner of InterMedia Partners, Peter Kern; TripAdvisor VP of SEO, Luc Levesque; CEO of the travel startup Luxury Retreats, Joe Poulin,[6] and Orleans Express founder Sylvain Langis.
In May 2013, Busbud completed a seed round financing of $1.2 million, which was co-led by Canadian funds iNovia Capital and Real Ventures.[7]
In July, 2014, Busbud acquired another round of funding of $9 million, co-led by OMERS Ventures and Revolution Ventures. Busbud's plans include growing its in-house team, expanding its route territory, and developing an improved version of their iOS and Android mobile app.[8]
References
- ^ "Revolution co-leads investment in Busbud, an online portal to purchase bus tickets". Washington Post.
- ^ "Busbud Bags $9M For Its Coach Travel Booking Platform". TechCrunch. AOL.
- ^ "LP Maurice: A Turning Point for the Montreal Startup Ecosystem". WSJ.
- ^ Quentin Casey (29 May 2013). "Busbud startup pools inter-city bus routes, schedules for travellers". Financial Post.
- ^ "Busbud Help Desk - Answers to All Your Bus Travel Questions". Busbud's Official Website. March 18, 2016.
- ^ "Canadian Startup Busbud Raises $1 Million from iNovia Capital and Real Ventures".
- ^ "Busbud, The Kayak For Intercity Bus Travel, Raises $1M Round Led By iNovia Capital And Real Ventures". TechCrunch. AOL.
- ^ Lora Kolodny. "Busbud Raises $9 Million as Popularity of Intercity Bus Travel Increases". WSJ.