A new AI venture from Booking Holdings
Booking Holdings, the parent of Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak and OpenTable, has launched a new Seattle-based travel startup called Vayo. The company plans to invest $100 million in the venture, depending on its progress and market conditions.
What Vayo does
Vayo connects to a user's inbox to pull in flight, hotel and restaurant confirmations. It then monitors those bookings for price drops, openings at sold-out hotels and other changes. If a flight is delayed, it flags what that means for hotel check-in or a dinner reservation. It also recommends restaurants and activities based on past trips.
Availability and team
Vayo can make restaurant reservations now, with flight and hotel booking expected in the coming weeks. A waitlist for a free private beta opened Wednesday. The CEO and co-founder is Mike Fridgen, who previously led Madrona Venture Labs and was CEO of Decide.com. CTO and co-founder Allen Chen was previously CTO of Fanatics Collectibles. Head of growth Ian Fliflet is the former chief growth officer at OfferUp.
Why it matters
Vayo is part of Booking Holdings' broader effort to adapt to the rise of AI agents. The company pitches Vayo as a personal travel agent "built for trips, not tasks" and promises neutrality. The venture also marks a return to Seattle for Booking Holdings, home to its biggest rival, Expedia Group.
