Inspirato Named One of America's Most Promising Companies by Forbes

DENVER, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspirato, the new lifestyle standard in luxury travel, announced that it was recognized as part of Forbes' list of America's Most Promising Companies.

"This affirms our position as not only a fast-paced, quickly growing private company but also the fastest growing destination club in the world," said Brent Handler, CEO and founder of Inspirato. "Today, I celebrate this news with the entire company and my fellow founders Brian Corbett, Martin Pucher and my brother, Brad Handler. We are honored by Forbes' recognition of Inspirato as a high-growth, private company."

Forbes‘ list of America's Most Promising Companies features 100 privately held up-and-comers with compelling business models, strong management teams, notable customers, strategic partners and precious investment capital.

"Sizing up younger, privately held companies is hard: Their fortunes can change very quickly and there's a dearth of public data," said Forbes Executive Editor Brett Nelson. "We took a more comprehensive approach to evaluate their health and potential."

To sharpen its search, Forbes teamed up with CB Insights, a Manhattan-based data firm that tracks investment in high-growth private companies. With $650,000 in grants from the National Science Foundation, CB has developed complex software called Mosaic that mines myriad online sources (from press releases and social networks to job boards and court filings) to come up with one, algorithmically derived score that measures a private company's health. Forbes married Mosaic's data-crunching with old-fashioned reporting to assemble a list of rising stars with bright growth prospects. To view the complete the list, please visit www.forbes.com/ampc.

Based in Denver and launched in January 2011, Inspirato was ranked No. 94 on the list. Among its noted milestones and accomplishments was its recent $17.5 million in equity funding, led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB). The luxury travel brand boasts more than 85 residences in 25 destinations, and more than 900 memberships sold to date. 

To view Inspirato's entry in the America's Most Promising Companies list, please visit http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/28/most-promising-companies-11_Inspirato_TEFN.html.

About Inspirato

Designed specifically for today's economic reality, Inspirato offers the best of destination club consistency and service, while incorporating the value and flexibility of villa rentals. The company's mission is to revolutionize the way luxury travelers spend quality vacation time with their family and friends. By leasing its vacation properties (rather than owning), Inspirato is able to keep membership fees low, offer up to 80 percent off market rates, and easily add homes and destinations as demand increases. The company's innovative business model has led to rapid growth since its January 2011 launch, placing Inspirato at the forefront of the "luxury for less" movement.

Access to Inspirato's personalized travel services and advisors, club-managed portfolio of more than $150 million in vacation homes, and exclusive discounted everyday rates, is available for an Initiation Fee of only $15,000 and a small Annual Membership Fee of $2,500. There are no complicated restrictions; members travel as much or as little as they like. Inspirato residences are outfitted with the highest quality amenities and located in popular destinations including Italy, Mexico, Hawaii, California, South Carolina, the Caribbean and Colorado. Beyond luxury residences there is Inspirato Metropolitan, a collection of select fine hotel and resorts in the hottest destinations around the globe, and Inspirato Experiences, offering expertly curated vacation adventures.

For more information about Inspirato, visit www.inspirato.com.