Ziptrrip, the Mumbai-based AI-powered corporate travel and expense management platform, has acquired HelloTravel Online Private Limited in what marks its first buyout within three years of operations, the company announced on May 25, 2026. The transaction sees HelloTravel, an 18-year-old travel marketplace that was demerged as an independent entity in 2018 from a publicly listed firm, become a wholly owned subsidiary of Wayfarers Technologies Private Limited, Ziptrrip's parent company, significantly strengthening its play in business leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). The acquisition extends Ziptrrip's footprint beyond its core corporate travel offering into experiential and group travel segments that demand stronger supply networks and higher levels of execution. As part of the transaction, HelloTravel's founders Pankaj Agarwal and Mohit Shrivastava will exit the business, while the existing operational team will be retained to ensure continuity of partner relationships and execution standards built over nearly two decades. Founded in 2020 and operating under the legal entity Wayfarers Technologies Private Limited, Ziptrrip has, in a relatively short span, established itself as a credible player in India's corporate travel landscape. The platform has facilitated over 2 lakh trips across more than 650 corporate clients, focusing on streamlining travel through automation, policy-led bookings and AI-driven insights that optimise cost and efficiency. According to Tracxn data, the company has raised approximately $491,000 across four rounds to date, with its most recent $238,000 seed round closing in August 2024 led by angel investor Prantik Dasgupta, alongside earlier backers smartSense Consulting Solutions, Shain Nair and Rahul Kumar. The startup was last valued at ₹23.8 crore ($2.86 million) as of April 2024. Financially, Ziptrrip turned profitable in FY 2024-25, posting revenue of ₹1.47 crore ($173K) — a 140% year-on-year jump from ₹61.1 lakh in FY 2023-24 — and a net profit of ₹3.8 lakh against a loss of ₹23 lakh in the prior year. The company is led by co-founders Shan Prabhakaran (CEO) and Rishabh Agarwal (COO), both Mahindra Group alumni. HelloTravel brings to the table a legacy of over 18 years, having evolved into one of India's largest marketplaces for travel agents. The Noida-headquartered platform connects users with more than 7,000 verified travel partners across destinations, offers over 2 lakh experience-led travel packages and has cultivated a community of more than 1.5 million organic followers. To date, it has served over 1 crore travellers across more than 10,000 destinations. HelloTravel was founded in 2008 by Pankaj Agarwal, an IIM Indore alumnus and serial entrepreneur, alongside Dinesh Agarwal and Madhup Agrawal. Tracxn data shows HelloTravel ranked 10th among 185 competitors in the holiday packages marketplace category, with annual revenue of ₹1.79 crore ($211K) as of March 31, 2025 — a 33%
