How I Got Here - Inside stories behind innovation and startups in travel

6. Naren Shaam of Omio (FULL SHOW)

Sep 26, 2019

Naren Shaam, founder of Omio, shares insights on integrating all modes of transport globally and transitioning to a mobile-first approach. He discusses challenges in the travel industry, market timing, fundraising, and the European startup ecosystem.

50:47

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Episode guests

Naren Shaam

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Quick takeaways

Omio's founder Naren Shaam saw the need for a unified transport system during his extensive European travels, inspiring the creation of a platform integrating all modes of travel.

Omio's strategic shift to online booking and mobile-first approach stemmed from recognizing last-minute ground transport transactions and the need for seamless, real-time mobile experiences.

Deep dives

Founding Omeo Out of Personal Experience

Naren, CEO of Omeo, founded the company based on personal experiences during a European trip. Having traveled to 14 countries in four months, he identified the lack of a unified distribution system for global ground transport. This experience inspired him to create a product that integrates all modes of transport into a single platform, aiming for a revolutionary consumer experience like Amazon or Uber.

Problem should be big enough to quit your job

01:52

Introduction

3min

Navigating Challenges in Travel Industry Innovation

6min

From Meta Search to Mobile Booking: The Evolution of Ground Transport Services

6min

Navigating Market Timing and Innovation in the Travel Industry

4min

Navigating Challenges in Fundraising for a Startup in the Travel Industry

24min

Evolution of the European Startup Ecosystem, Particularly in Germany

7min

It took a fairly long time, at least in internet years, for the next wave of travel tools to hit the market.

There is a lot more to a trip than a flight and a hotel, especially when an entire trip is considered, yet the established online travel agencies and metasearch engines steered away from trying to connect all the elements of a journey.

Getting reliable, technical access to inventory from rail and bus services may have been the trigger in the late-2000s, when the first brands emerged that attempted to connect the dots.

Door-to-door, multi-modal - a number of terms have been used over the years since.

One of the brands that has emerged through the startup landscape in this area is Omio, which was formed in 2012 under its original name of GoEuro.

Under its founder and CEO Naran Shaam, Omio has quietly grown from its base in Germany to become the largest-funded of the multi-modal online travel brands.

Almost $300 million in investment has given it the chance to make some major strategic decisions at the right time, including switching to an online travel agency model and go all in on mobile.

Shaam joins us for episode six of How I Got Here.

HIGH is a weekly show produced by PhocusWire and Mozio, aimed at getting the inside stories behind startups and innovation in travel and transportation.

Other episodes: on PhocusWire and Mozio.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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