While corporate travel may be a trillion-dollar industry — U.S. companies spent $300 billion on travel last year — the process of booking flights, tracking expenses and organizing transport is still about as enjoyable as getting stuck in a middle seat.
Pana launched its corporate travel platform in 2014 with the goal of reducing some of the turbulence that comes with traveling for work. And the Denver-based company announced on Monday that is has reeled in $10 million in a Series A round to fuel that mission.
Companies turn to travel for a number of reasons, whether it’s arranging for a new hire to visit the headquarters, sending an employee on a business trip or flying an out-of-towner in for an interview.
Pana’s mobile and desktop travel platform is designed to streamline the process for travelers in all these situations.
The chat-based mobile and desktop platform suggests the best flights within parameters set by the company, organizes hotels and transport, and sends users regular check-ins to ensure a smooth experience. Travelers can also upload receipts and other-in trip purchases for reimbursement.
For larger companies, Pana is designed to integrate with existing corporate contracts, while smaller companies can use it as a standalone booking platform.
Last year, Pana partnered with BCD Travel, the third-largest travel agency in the U.S., to boost its traveling logistics. It counts fast-growing companies like Quora, Shopify and Logitech among its customers.
Bessemer Venture Partners led the round, with participation from Techstars, Matchstick Ventures and MergeLane Fund.
