Shutdown of a Startup: The Sad Story of Utrip as Told by Skift

In 2014, Gilad Berenstein, Founder and CEO of Utrip, was on the eTourism Summit startup smackdown stage to present as a “Bright, Shiny New Object.”

Just over two years later, the Seattle-based company using machine learning to help travelers plan personalized itineraries within minutes, closed a $4 million funding round on top of two seed rounds of $850 and $750.  

A couple of months ago, Seattle-based Utrip closed.

Fifty or more DMOs had been working with Utrip PRO described as “our white-label product, enables destination marketing organizations, airlines, attractions and hospitality brands to offer customers a more personalized experience, thereby increasing engagement, loyalty, conversion rates and revenue.”

Sean O’Neill, Travel Tech Editor at Skift, takes a close-up look at “What Utrip’s Tragic Final Year Can Teach Other Travel Startups.”