GetYourGuide Raises $25 Million Series B Round from Spark Capital and Highland Capital Partners Europe

BERLIN, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GetYourGuide, the world's largest online platform for tours and activities, today announced the closing of its $25 million Series B round of funding from Spark Capital and Highland Capital Partners Europe. Both investors led GetYourGuide's 2013 Series A funding round. The investment will be used to further accelerate the company's growth into new markets, as well as a support the company's focus on mobile development.

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In the last four years, GetYourGuide has grown to become the market leader in the tours, attractions and activities market. To date, the company has partnered with more than 25,000 activities in more than 2,400 destinations worldwide.

Within the $100 billion global market for travel activities, Europe, taking in $50 billion, makes up half of the market -- according to a 2013 report from travel research firm PhocusWright. GetYourGuide offers more tours, attractions & activities in more locations than any other travel platform. The GetYourGuide mobile app, which enables finding and booking activities on-the-go, has only accelerated the company's growth.

"As a Series A investor we have been fortunate to work closely with GetYourGuide," said Spark Capital General Partner Alex Finkelstein. "We've been extremely impressed with their growth curve over the last year, and we have decided to double down our investment with another $25 million."

Fergal Mullen, Partner with Highland Capital Partners Europe said, "These are exciting times for the travel activities sector and with this new round of funding, GetYourGuide will be able to accelerate its growth and strengthen its global leadership position."

"We're thrilled that both Spark Capital and Highland Capital Partners Europe, who led the investment in our Series A round, have decided to return and lead our Series B," said GetYourGuide CEO Johannes Reck. "This happens very rarely. We have an amazing market position and phenomenal growth rates at this point and are very focused on continuing this development. To do this, we'll be focused on extending our footprint in new markets and building out our already strong mobile offerings."

About GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide, the Internet's largest booking platform for travel activities, offers more than 25,000 attractions, tours and activities in upwards of 2,400 worldwide destinations. From sightseeing and historical tours to sport activities, museums, and event tickets, GetYourGuide provides an extensive assortment. The GetYourGuide website was launched in 2010 and holds offices in Zurich, Berlin and Las Vegas.
www.getyourguide.com  

About Spark Capital
Spark Capital is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional entrepreneurs seeking to build disruptive, world-changing companies. Founded in 2005, the firm manages over $1,800,000,000 across five funds. Headquartered in Boston, Spark maintains an office in New York and invests across the globe. Spark Capital focuses on Internet and mobile investments across the following key categories: advertising & monetization, commerce & services, content & media, financial services, hardware & infrastructure, mobile and social. Some of Spark Capital's most notable investments include Adap.tv (acquired by AOL), AdMeld (acquired by Google), Oculus (acquired by Facebook), OMGPOP (acquired by Zynga), Tumblr (acquired by Yahoo!), Twitter and Wayfair. For more information, visit www.sparkcapital.com. 

About Highland Capital Partners Europe:
Through a dedicated pan-European growth equity technology fund, Highland Capital Partners Europe embraces Highland Capital Partners' global mission of helping great people build great companies. Highland Capital Partners was founded in 1988 and has raised over $3 billion of committed capital. Highland has backed a number of companies that have been recognized as leaders within their industry categories, including: Altiga Networks, Avid Technology, CheckFree, Conor Medsystems, eToys, lululemon athletica, Lycos, MapQuest, Ocular Networks, Qihoo 360, Quattro Wireless, Quigo Technologies, Starent Networks, Sybase, Telica, Vertica Systems and VistaPrint. For more information, visit Highland's web site at www.hcp.com.

Press Contact: 
Lee Glandorf 
[email protected]  
781-966-4145

SOURCE GetYourGuide