Otto raises $6 million

Former Expedia SVP Michael Gulmann has launched Otto , an AI-powered platform designed to help small businesses and startups streamline their travel bookings.

Set to debut in an alpha version in September, Otto offers a simplified service for flight and hotel reservations using natural language queries.

Otto fills a market gap for small businesses that can’t afford the expensive travel management services built for large enterprises. Acting as a virtual travel assistant, Otto remembers user preferences, suggests alternatives automatically, and involves human agents only when necessary, saving time and reducing hassle.

With $6 million in seed funding led by Madrona Ventures, Otto aims to expand its services with a beta release by the end of the year and a full launch in early 2025, delivering a highly personalized travel booking experience for smaller companies.

Bottom Line: Could travel insurance be next in Otto’s plans?