The Tarzan Way, an AI travel startup, just shook up the travel tech scene by securing ₹2 crore (roughly $233,000) in seed funding. Leading the round was Gurugram’s Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), a sharp angel investment outfit. Joining the party were UK’s Your Trips Limited, the edtech powerhouse Prateek Maheshwari of PhysicsWallah fame, and a handful of angel backers ready to bet on a fresh vision.
Launched in 2020 by travel junkies Shikhar Chadha and Shivank Tripathi, The Tarzan Way isn’t your run-of-the-mill itinerary builder. These guys are wielding AI like a magic wand, turning what used to be slogging hours over websites into instant, spot-on travel plans. Their secret weapon? The “Exploration App” — an AI-fueled, one-click booking beast paired with round-the-clock concierge service that aims to make travel planning painless and downright fun.
The fresh cash injection is slated to turbocharge product upgrades, optimize backend operations, boost marketing firepower, and grow the team. With gross bookings clocking in at ₹13.5 crore and a jaw-dropping 300% revenue spike year-on-year, The Tarzan Way is riding high in India’s booming travel tech ecosystem — a sector forecasted to explode into a $512 billion market by 2028.
This funding isn’t just a milestone; it’s a rocket launch from stealth mode to full-throttle expansion. By leveraging AI and hyper-personalized itineraries, The Tarzan Way is primed to bulldoze traditional travel booking models. Let’s dig into their journey, game plan, and what their rise means for the Indian startup universe.
1. Introduction to The Tarzan Way and the AI Travel Startup Ecosystem
1.1 Background of The Tarzan Way
Born in Noida in 2020, The Tarzan Way emerged from the minds of Shikhar Chadha and Shivank Tripathi — two wanderlust-driven disruptors sick of cookie-cutter holiday packages and clunky booking sites. Their solution? A platform smart enough to think for itself, crafting tailor-made trips that feel like they were handpicked by a travel-savvy best friend. Where travelers once wasted hours hunting for deals and reviews, this AI-powered sidekick cuts straight to the chase, delivering personalized travel blueprints at lightning speed, tailored to every taste and whim, anywhere on the globe.
1.2 AI Travel Startup: Business Model and Revenue Streams
At its core, The Tarzan Way is a sleek, AI-first travel assistant, pulling revenue mainly from commissions on bookings—flights, stays, experiences—all stitched together in one seamless experience. The magic lies in their booking engine, which mixes smart local knowledge with bespoke itineraries and real-time concierge backup, making sure users never hit a dead end.
On top of that, there’s premium concierge offerings, partnerships with local vendors, and plans for subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and in-app ads—all designed to stack revenue streams as the platform scales. The strategy is crystal clear: make travel planning intuitive, deeply personal, and, importantly, profitable.
1.3 Funding Details and Strategic Investors
The ₹2 crore seed round was spearheaded by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), a Gurugram-based investor with a knack for spotting early-stage winners. Also in the mix are UK’s Your Trips Limited and Prateek Maheshwari, the edtech rockstar behind PhysicsWallah. This blend of domestic and international believers sends a loud message—The Tarzan Way’s vision resonates widely.
Funds are earmarked smartly: 35% to supercharge product development, 25% for smoothing operations, 20% pumping up marketing, 15% hiring new talent, and 5% for miscellaneous surprises. This isn’t just money—it’s fuel for a precise growth engine.
2. Services and Innovations Offered by The Tarzan Way
2.1 Exploration App: Revolutionizing Travel Planning
The crown jewel is the upcoming Exploration App — a real game-changer. Picture crafting your entire trip in minutes, with AI magic behind every step and a booking system that’s literally one click away. This isn’t just about planning; it’s about a full lifecycle experience: discovery, booking, and on-the-road support. The 24/7 concierge is a game-changer, giving travelers real-time peace of mind without the usual headaches.
This app aims to be more than just a tool—it’s a travel companion anticipating your needs and smoothing out the bumps before you even see them.
2.2 Addressing Key Travel Pain Points
Let’s be honest: planning travel usually feels like a slog through endless info, inflexible packages, and zero help when things go sideways mid-trip. The Tarzan Way cuts through the noise by:
- Crafting bespoke itineraries in seconds using AI.
- Offering a one-stop hub for discovery, booking, and real-time support.
- Delivering live concierge assistance to solve issues on the fly.
- Tailoring trips to fit budgets, travel styles, and preferences like a glove.
This is exactly what modern travelers crave—convenience, personalization, and a safety net—things that legacy agencies have consistently failed to provide.
3. Industry Growth Trends and Competitive Landscape
3.1 India’s Booming Travel Industry
India’s travel sector is nothing short of a wildfire right now. Forecasts peg it at a colossal $512 billion by 2028. Why? Rising incomes, the internet reaching far-flung corners, and a cultural shift toward meaningful, immersive travel experiences. Folks don’t just want a checklist—they want stories, flavors, and tech that actually helps rather than complicates. The Tarzan Way’s AI-driven approach couldn’t be better timed.
3.2 Competitors and Market Positioning
Sure, the AI travel startup space is crowded—giants like MakeMyTrip and Cleartrip dominate, while new kids on the block fiddle with AI. But The Tarzan Way cuts a unique figure by combining hyper-personalized itineraries with real-time concierge support, something you rarely find here.
Indirect rivals like travel blogs and generic apps just can’t match the AI backbone and storytelling combo The Tarzan Way brings to the table. They’re carving out a niche few dare to enter—and that’s where the magic happens.
4. Founders’ Journey and Vision
4.1 Founders’ Backgrounds and Complementary Skills
Shikhar Chadha’s tech expertise and Shivank Tripathi’s business savvy form a perfect storm. Their shared obsession with travel innovation drives The Tarzan Way’s trajectory—melding deep knowledge, passion, and grit.
4.2 Vision for the Future of Travel
Their dream? Travel as a joy ride, not a hassle. They want AI to do the heavy lifting while travelers craft unforgettable stories, not just checkboxes. This human-first, tech-enhanced vision is a bold challenge to the staid old travel world.
5. Performance Metrics and Market Validation
5.1 User Growth and Financial Performance
The numbers hit hard. ₹13.5 crore gross bookings, 300% revenue growth year-on-year, and a staggering 70% monthly user growth scream market validation. Social media buzz backs it up—over 35,000 followers and 10 million+ travel video views prove they’re not just growing; they’re thriving.
5.2 Market Response and Investor Confidence
With IPV leading the pack and big names like Prateek Maheshwari in their corner, investor trust in The Tarzan Way is rock solid. This vote of confidence is a strong signal that the startup is set to dominate.
6. Strategic Use of Funding and Growth Plans
6.1 Focus Areas for Capital Deployment
This ₹2 crore isn’t just a pot of gold. It’s a calculated strike:
- 35% on refining AI, UX, and launching the Exploration App.
- 25% to tighten operations and scale support.
- 20% boosting marketing muscle and partnerships.
- 15% hiring top talent for growth.
- 5% reserved for the unexpected.
6.2 Growth Strategy and Market Expansion
Armed with fresh funds, The Tarzan Way plans to flood the market with new users and expand beyond India’s borders. The Exploration App is the rocket booster, expected to ignite engagement and bookings like never before.
7. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
Here’s the lowdown from The Tarzan Way’s playbook:
- Innovate with grit and real-world purpose—AI alone won’t cut it.
- User experience reigns supreme: personalize fiercely, support live.
- Raise funds from believers who get your story, not just deep pockets.
- Ride trends but never lose your edge.
- Balance growth—throwing money blindly kills startups faster than failure.
- Blending tech with genuine storytelling isn’t just smart; it’s essential.
The Startups News
TheStartupsNews.com keeps spotlighting game-changers like The Tarzan Way, the kind of AI travel startups that refuse to play by old rules. Tracking funding rounds, fresh trends, and startup wins, it’s a vital beacon for entrepreneurs and investors navigating India’s electric startup scene. As travel tech heats up, platforms like The Tarzan Way are proof that smart AI can transform how we roam this planet.
