Switchfly., a US-based SaaS (Software as a Service) online travel service provider has raised $2.8 million in Series C funding. The provider of loyalty, online payment and social technology solutions company amassed $15m at the first close on the round back in March which has now been bumped up to $17.8m.
Global hospitality and travel venture outfit, Thayer Ventures, a venture firm backed by hospitality companies Quest Hospitality and Thayer Lodging Group, led the new capital drive, alongside previous backers Azure Capital Partners, Canaan Partners and StarVest Partners. The latest injection of capital brings the total amount raised by Switchfly Inc. to $34.8m.
San Francisco-based Switchfly’s clients include, American Airlines, American Express, Emirates Airline, Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, JetBlue, LATAM Airlines Group, Lufthansa, PayPal, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines.
“Switchfly’s expansion into social media and payment solutions complements the company’s core travel and loyalty platforms,” said Jeff Jackson, managing director, Thayer Ventures.
“This investment is from our first fund, formed in 2010, and is based on what we believe is a strong outlook and positive market dynamics for Switchfly with its world-class team and a highly satisfied customer base.
“Their platform is transforming the loyalty industry and its on-going international expansion creates opportunities for continued growth. “We have an aggressive appetite for investment in companies like Switchfly where we believe we can make a difference and add value.”
Switchfly raised $2m in Series A funding in two equal parts in August 2003 and November 2004. The burgeoning company recently acquired online travel loyalty firm Topguest which gives users loyalty points from established programs for their check-ins on Facebook Places, Foursquare, Twitter, Instagram and Gowalla and to date there are $48bn loyalty points in circulation.
Daniel Farrar, CEO of Switchfly, said: “Switchfly’s technology platform has undertaken a strategic evolution, delivering flexible solutions that help travel companies, loyalty programs and financial services engage with their highest value customers.”
“This latest investment will aid us in our continued development of a single global technology platform which can be localised for each market.”