A downtown-based startup that specializes in planning surprise vacations for individuals or couples announced it closed on its first acquisition of another firm that will now see the company expand into group-based offerings.
And while Pack Up + Go Founder and CEO Lillian Rafson declined to disclose the cost to acquire Have Fun Do Good, also based in Pittsburgh, she said she's most looking forward to the new opportunities that Pack Up + Go will be able to offer to its customers, which has surpassed 40,000 people since its founding in 2016.
With Pack Up + Go, travelers fill out a questionnaire identifying potential travel interests, timelines and budgets while deciding if they'd like to get to their final destination by flying or driving. Pack Up + Go then plans the trip, including some activities to take place during it, and shares only a few details with the travelers until they need to check in for their flight or begin on their drive to their destination.
Similarly, Have Fun Do Good plans trips as well but for groups of people and with a focus on outdoor-centric destinations. These trips also include a group volunteer element.
Rafson said Have Fun Do Good will maintain its own branding as a result of the acquisition but will fall under the management of the 30-person team of full-time workers that Pack Up + Go employs.
"It just felt like a natural alignment and the obvious next step for us," Rafson said. "I'm thrilled to be taking it over, I'm thrilled that it's joining the Pack Up + Go offerings. Our whole team is excited."
Rafson said Pack Up + Go generated $7 million in revenue during 2022, its highest figure yet.
