A Chicago startup launched by the founder of Orbitz Worldwide has been issued a U.S. patent for its travel technology.
Journera, founded in 2016, was issued a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its technology that allows travel companies to securely match traveler records across multiple providers to create a seamless trip for travelers.
Journera’s software allows travel-related companies to communicate with each other and provide end-to-end travel journeys for their customers. For example, if an individual’s flight is delayed, the car rental, hotel and dinner reservations would all automatically adjust to the new flight schedule, eliminating the need for the passenger to contact all the parties individually.
Additionally, travelers can use the software to arrange that a hotel room be ready early upon their arrival, or that their luggage be delivered straight to their hotel room instead of them waiting at the airport carousel.
The startup, which was named one of Chicago Inno's 19 Startups to Watch in 2019, says that more than 1 billion travel events have been processed by its platform, representing more than 200 million customer reservations. Journera’s clients include American Airlines, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, United Airlines and an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
"Our patented technology solves two of the biggest issues in travel experience today," said Journera CEO Jeffrey Katz in a statement. "First, we are able to help travel companies unify a trip across all of the traveler's cars, hotels, flights and experiences. Second, we are able to create a seamless journey in a secure way that protects customer privacy. Our technology begins with the travel industry, but we see wide application for any industry that needs a more integrated customer experience."
Last year, Journera raised $9 million in a Series A venture capital round. Investors included B Capital Group, Andreessen Horowitz, Pritzker Group Venture Capital and The Boston Consulting Group.
