US-based smart luggage producer Away has raised $8.5m in a series A round that included Comcast Ventures, the corporate venture capital subsidiary of mass media company Comcast, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
Comcast was joined by Global Founders Capital, which led the round, as well as Forerunner Ventures, Accel Partners and Barry Sternlicht, founder of the Starwood Hotels chain. Forerunner Ventures and Accel Partners led Away’s $2.5m seed round in August 2015.
Away produces suitcases in three sizes and each one contains a battery, mesh compartments and a laundry bag.
Although it chiefly sells the luggage online, Away opened a concept store in New York in June this year and plans to open additional branches in London, Berlin and Los Angeles.
Additional funds will support the creation of new travel products Away expects to begin selling later this year.