FIT backs Freelane to facilitate a stress-free travel experience

Whoever has planned a trip before understands the essence of having a smooth journey throughout; however, plans may change due to unexpected disruptions. Freelane – a startup that was incorporated in November this year in Lausanne – has developed an app that helps travellers to get to their destination hassle-free. The system uses artificial intelligence and real-time travel data to inform users of possible problems at every step of their journey and suggest alternatives. Thus, travellers can change their route on the fly to bypass any construction work or delayed trains. This will save time and money as well as ensure that they do not miss any connections.

Currently, a business traveller taking the train to the airport will be notified on the train if his plane is late and be given information about the closest business lounge to wait for the next connection. With Freelane, however, users are only required to enter their travel itinerary in the app after making a reservation. The app pulls information from road-traffic and air-traffic maps via network links and through the company’s partnerships. Users will then receive up-to-the-minute travel information and alternatives from their starting point to their destination, for worry-free, stress-free travel. FreeLane is already collaborating with airlines, travel companies and hotels. To

The idea was born during the 2017 {Re}Coding Aviation Hackathon in Berlin and the following year, the founding team won the Incubation Phase award at the IATA Geneva Hackathon on the topic of reducing travellers’ stress. This award confirmed the feasibility of the business idea and prompted the team to take it further.

This year, Freelane has secured CHF 70,000 in FIT funding including a CHF 20,000 FIT Digital Grant and a CHF 50,000 FIT Digital by EHL Seed Loan. The funds will be used to finalize its minimum viable product, test its business assumptions and hire additional staff.

The startup recently moved into EHL’s Innovation Village and has been invited to present its app at the 2019 IATA Business Travel Summit. Upon the success of its business development efforts, the startup could capture a part of the growing travel market that is expected to reach 1.7 billion dollars by 2023.

(Press release/ran)