We Raised Series B Funding – To Build More Disruptive, Travel-Specific Fintech Solutions into WeTravel’s Platform
Years ago, while working in Central Asia and working with tour operators managing group trips, I...
When Garib, Zaky, and I founded WeTravel in 2016, our aspirations for the business stretched beyond the technology we were building. We wanted our business to make a difference; we wanted it to empower People.
WeTravel’s CoFounders - Garib Mehdiyev (CTO), Johannes Koeppel (CEO), and Zaky Prabowo (CMO)
At the time, we were working from a shabby office under a highway in San Francisco –furnished with a used Kijiji couch and filled with a small team. Like all entrepreneurs, we knew our business idea was great. But we knew our team was even better. In those early days–of late nights, take-out meals, and too-many-to-count brainstorming sessions–we saw how an empowered, diverse team is a business’s true success metric.
It was then that we decided to be a great place to work - a place that commits to its People, no matter our journey.
Since then, we have moved offices (and, sadly, gotten rid of the Kijiji couch). Today, we are headquartered in Amsterdam, with a remote team based on five continents and our Engineering team in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The famous Kijiji couch
The past two years have been trying, to write the least. However, what shone through the darkest days was our devoted team, who stepped up for the business and their colleagues. We were forced to make decisions we never anticipated, and, some days, we didn’t know what was ahead for the travel industry.
We were taken back to a team only just bigger than our Kijiji couch days, but we remained rooted in our commitment to honesty and respect and provided what we could to our employees. Like all monumental times, hindsight is 20:20. Of course, there were decisions we made that I wish I could change, but ultimately, the genuine nature of our team went beyond what anyone could have expected.
So, this is a big thank you to our team for moving us through the pandemic.
Now, in 2022, we’re planning to double our headcount as international travel has resumed. Today, our team represents nearly 20 nationalities and lives in 20 countries on five continents. Internally, we’re reworking our policies to meet our employees’ needs, including paid volunteer days to add to our unlimited paid time off policy. We’ve revamped our on-going DEI hiring practices in our business, and we’ve attached salaries to all job descriptions. We’re also reworking our internal employee policies to meet our growing teams’ needs.
Though, what makes us most proud, is we can look back on our business’s six years and see now what we saw in 2016: Our team is our business’s greatest success. We continue to commit to being a great place to work, which was officially externally recognized today as WeTravel has been certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. in 2022.
WeTravel team at our annual retreat - Turkey 2021
The certification humbled us as we read genuine responses from our team about why they love working for WeTravel. It also gave us direction on areas we need to improve, which we’re actively addressing. We’re honored to receive the certification and to have the world’s best employees. As a co-founder, I couldn’t be more thankful for everyone who brings themselves to work, every day.
About the Certification
Being certified as a Great Place to Work is the biggest honor.
That’s not only because it’s an official external verification of our business’s commitment to value our people…
Most importantly, it’s a sign that our belief in celebrating and supporting our team’s diverse backgrounds is working to create a safe and equitable workplace for all.
The verification holds us accountable to our team, upholding our commitment to improving and evolving our DEI practices to meet the highest possible standards.
A Glimpse Into Life at WeTravel
We believe that our mission to empower travel businesses begins at home. When our team feels empowered, we can succeed in our mission collectively.
So, we aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive space, encouraging fresh perspectives and ideas. Our policy is to welcome continuous feedback to help us always be better for our team.
Because we work across continents, countries, and time zones, our team is technologically connected. Where we are is a part of who we are - every day, we bring our culture, background, and experiences into our work.
We Live By Our Values (and earned a Certification as a result)
Always be Respectful
At WeTravel, we take diversity, equity, and inclusion very seriously.
Advancing our DEI practices has always been a key pillar in the business’s growth strategy.
In 2022, it’s one of our four OKRs.
It’s why we create an inclusive and welcoming workspace that allows people to thrive. We encourage everyone to bring their perspectives, ideas, and life experience to the table.
An Honest Approach
We believe that genuine connections are created through honesty, and we encourage our team to live up to this value. It’s how we grow, learn, and build relationships with our team and our customers.
There’s a Solution for Everything
We believe that there is always a solution to any challenge in business. Everyone is encouraged to collaborate, communicate, and give their ideas to create solutions.
Resourceful, Through and Through
Working across continents in a growing business requires our team to be resourceful. We encourage everyone to open the doors to creativity and think big in everything they do.
What Our Team Has to Say About Working at WeTravel
We owe it all to you, team!
Our certification brought to light several points that we’re incredibly proud of!
100% of employees at WeTravel say it is a great place to work.
This is compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.
Some results from the survey questions include:
- 100% of employees agreed that Management keeps them informed about important issues and changes.
- 100% of employees agreed that Management makes its expectations clear.
- 100% of employees felt they could ask management any reasonable question and get a straight answer.
- 100% say Management is approachable, easy to talk with.
- 100% believe Management is competent at running the business.
Final Word From Johannes
I believe it’s up to every one of us to build an inclusive and equitable business environment here at WeTravel.
It’s truly an honor for the business to receive this certification, and I would like to thank our incredible team for the nomination.
I celebrate every one of you who makes us who we are.
