From TechCrunch · Julie Bort · · 1m 40s
OpenAI acquires Odessia, travel startup by Sonder founder
OpenAI has acquired Odessia, an AI travel agent founded by Francis Davidson, who previously built the travel startup Sonder into a unicorn before its bankruptcy.
In brief
OpenAI has acquired Odessia, an AI travel agent founded by Francis Davidson, who previously built the travel startup Sonder into a unicorn before its bankruptcy. OpenAI has acquired the AI travel agent Odessia from founder Francis Davidson, who previously led Sonder before it went bankrupt. Terms were not disclosed…
OpenAI acquires AI travel startup
OpenAI has acquired Odessia, an AI travel agent, according to founder Francis Davidson. He announced the deal and said he is now working for OpenAI on the future of travel.
Odessia raised six million dollars
The year-old Odessia raised a six million dollar pre-seed round led by Sequoia and launched its AI travel agent around five months ago. The tool has already been shut down.
OpenAI has not confirmed the deal
OpenAI did not announce the acquisition or confirm it to TechCrunch when asked. It has not announced new travel-specific products or plans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Davidson founded Sonder as a student
Davidson founded Sonder in two thousand fourteen as a college student.It was like Airbnb but focused on leasing upscale apartments in major cities worldwide.
Sonder collapsed after Marriott deal fell through
The pandemic hurt Sonder badly.It went public via a SPAC but did not raise as much money as needed.When a key partnership with Marriott fell through, the company went into bankruptcy and wound down.
Sonder's assets sold to TravelAI in two thousand twenty-six
The bankruptcy trustee sold Sonder's name, trademarks and website domain in two thousand twenty-six to TravelAI. That website now operates as a curated guide to travel rental properties Sonder once offered.
What to remember
OpenAI has acquired the AI travel agent Odessia from founder Francis Davidson, who previously led Sonder before it went bankrupt. Terms were not disclosed.
