By Brian Kovalesky, StartUp Beat Editor
Today’s early-stage startup funding and acquisitions news:
CloudArena, which makes software for travel industry service providers, has closed a $1.5 million Seed funding round. The round was led by Aslanoba Capital, with participation from 212 Capital Partners. CloudArena’s software is called HotelRunner—a suite of sales and digital marketing tools for travel agents and hotels. The Istanbul-based startup is betting on service providers in the face of increasing control over the sales process by online booking sites like Travelocity and Orbitz. It was founded in 2011 by Arden Agopyan, Ali Beklen and Tolga Yalcinkaya. CloudArena claims that in the last six months it has helped to increase ‘online presence’ and sales for more than 1,250 properties in more than 80 cities and 30 countries.
Vital Stats:
Website: www.cloudarena.com
HQ: Istanbul
Founders: Arden Agopyan, Ali Beklen, Tolga Yalcinkaya
Year Founded: 2011
Investors: Aslanoba Capital, 212 Capital Partners
Innovation: Sales and digital marketing tools for hotels and travel agents to boost online and direct sales/bookings.
Total Funding: $1.5 million (Seed)
(Sources: CloudArena, VentureBeat)
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