As travel and tourism begin to ramp up again nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, one startup is attracting investors with its unique approach to vacationing. Founded in 2011, Peek.com focuses on selling experiences to travelers, and with a recent round of funding, the company has raised $80 million from new and returning investors. A marketplace and booking platform for vacation experiences, including everything from wine tours and local culinary classes to bungee jumping and dinner theater, Peek has exceeded $2 billion in adventures sold.
The Series C round was led by WestCap, a growth equity firm founded and managed by former Airbnb CFO Laurence Tosi—an executive with expertise in the tourism industry. Other high-profile past backers include Twitter and Square’s Jack Dorsey, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Kayak founder Paul English. New investors include Goldman Sachs Asset Management, 3L, Cathay Innovation, I2BF Global Ventures, Manta Ray, and Apeiron. The company intends to use the funds to expand its offerings and grow its staff as its business experiences record growth despite the pandemic. Peek has not disclosed its valuation, but CEO and Co-Founder Ruzwana Bashir has indicated the company has reached its profitability stage.
