Participated · Series C · Dec 2016

JetSmarter operates a members-only, technology-enabled marketplace for private aviation that pairs underutilized aircraft capacity and empty-leg inventory with a sharing-economy model. The company is asset-light and does not own or operate aircraft; flights are performed by FAA-licensed and DOT-registered air carriers. JetSmarter reports over 670,000 registered app users, about 10,000 members, connectivity to 3,200 aircraft, more than 50 shuttle routes across three continents, and over 40,000 unique passengers transported since inception. The platform uses data science and mobile technology to enable seat reservations on shuttles and on-demand private and shared charters. JetSmarter plans to accelerate growth by launching new products and routes globally and increasing supply on existing routes. The company intends to invest further in its platform to broaden its addressable market and scale membership-driven network effects. JetSmarter is a mobile app that enables members to search, find, and book chartered flights any time, anywhere, including making payments and connecting with other members via in‑app messaging. The company currently offers approx. 50 routes in more than 30 cities, including New York, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Atlanta, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai and Milan. Led by founder and CEO Sergey Petrossov, JetSmarter announced that Bradley Stewart, CEO of private aviation provider XOJET, will join its board. The company raised $105m in funding from a group of backers. JetSmarter said it will use the funds to expand globally, primarily into Asia, South America and Africa. Management targets adding another 80–100 routes within 2017. JetSmarter aggregates pricing and availability from over 800 private flight providers and enables users to book from more than 3,000 airplanes to nearly any city. The company offers membership programs — an annual $9,000 plan granting access to 35,000 pre-purchased flight hours and a monthly option promoted at $800 for extensive use — plus JetDeals (last-minute one-way flights) and JetShuttle (shared, scheduled routes). Most JetShuttle flights run 1.5 to 3 hours, and the company is working on a better coast-to-coast product. JetSmarter counts thousands of members and hundreds of thousands of non-member users who check the app an average of 3.2 times per day. Founded in 2013, the company raised $20 million in Series B funding and says many early investors began as customers and brand ambassadors. Management has hinted at a larger institutional fundraise before year-end as it pursues a long-term vision of competing with airlines.