Evaneos is a Paris-based online platform that allows travelers to craft adventures and meaningful experiences directly with local experts. Founded by Yvan Wibaux and Eric La Bonnardière, the company focuses on trips that respect local cultures and communities. Today Evaneos has more than 600 local partners in 160 destinations. The company plans to use the new funds to strengthen growth across its current markets — France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands — and to enhance its technology capabilities. It will invest in customer experience and agency network tools to support that expansion. The financing was €20M in equity. Evaneos operates an online marketplace that pairs travelers with local travel agencies to design bespoke, experiential itineraries across the globe. The platform focuses on connecting users with local experts to craft tailor-made trips. Founded in 2009 by Eric La Bonnardière (CEO) and Yvan Wibaux (CTO), the company is based in Paris, France. Evaneos plans to use new funding to strengthen its team and to develop its direct-to-local concept outside Europe, with North America identified as a first major area of investment. The company is hiring to support its expansion. It recently raised €70M to fund these initiatives. Evaneos operates an online marketplace that connects travelers directly with a community of local travel agencies to design tailor-made itineraries. Through the site users browse holiday ideas and then customize trips with local experts rather than traditional tour operators or large travel agencies. The company counts 650 partner agencies operating in 150 countries and reports that 120,000 travelers from 30 countries have taken trips arranged via its network. The site launched in French and is now available in English, Spanish, German and Italian, with native-speaking teams for each market. Forty percent of Evaneos' turnover comes from international markets, and it plans near-term expansions into the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden with a U.S. launch planned for the future. Evaneos positions itself as offering premium local expertise at lower cost by cutting out traditional middle-men. Evaneos is a French online specialist for customized travel that connects users with local destination management companies to estimate costs and book personalized trips. The platform provides tailored service and on-site assistance from local agents, including airport pick-up and a 24/7 assistance number. The company was founded in 2009 by Eric La Bonnardière (CEO) and Yvan Wibaux (CTO). Evaneos is established in France, Spain, Italy and Germany and to date has served 30,000 travelers. Reported operating figures show growth from 1,400 travelers and €2M sales in 2010 to 10,000 travelers and €14M sales in 2012, with headcount increasing from 6 to 20 employees. The company intends to use the financing to develop new services.

Total raised

$129M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Dec 2022