Italian TravelTech startup Smartness closes €47 million Series B for European expansion - EU-Startups

2026-05-04 · Source: Series A" OR "Series B" OR "Series C" AI startup via Google News · Field: Business & Management — Entrepreneurship & Start-ups, Corporate Strategy & Leadership, Operations & Process Management · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

Italian TravelTech startup Smartness has secured €47 million in a Series B funding round, comprising equity and debt, marking the largest Series B for a vertical SaaS company in Italy. The round was co-led by United Ventures and CDP Venture Capital, with participation from existing investor Partech, bringing Smartness's total capital raised to over €60 million. Founded in 2020, Smartness initially offered dynamic pricing software but has since expanded its suite to include CRM, payments, property management systems, guest communication, and operational AI solutions. The company currently serves over 5,000 customers across 41 countries and aims to triple its revenue in 2026 through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, aspiring to become a leading global AI technology provider for hotels and non-hotel accommodations.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers in the hospitality sector, this funding trend signals a critical shift from merely providing software tools to developing AI-powered "Agentic Systems" that directly execute operational tasks and guarantee performance. You should prioritize solutions that automate complex workflows like dynamic pricing and guest communication, moving beyond traditional SaaS to deliver measurable results and consolidate market share through strategic integrations or acquisitions.

Key insights

Smartness's funding highlights a shift in TravelTech towards AI-powered operational systems that deliver tangible results.

Principles

• Shift from software tools to AI-driven operational systems.
• Directly link technology to customer performance outcomes.

Method

Smartness expanded from dynamic pricing to a comprehensive operational suite including CRM, payments, and guest communication, aiming for an "Agentic System" that executes tasks autonomously for hospitality clients.

In practice

• Integrate AI for dynamic pricing and automated guest interactions.
• Expand product offerings beyond core functionality.
• Pursue strategic acquisitions for market consolidation.

Topics

• Smartness
• TravelTech
• Series B Funding
• Hospitality Software
• AI Operations

Best for: AI Product Manager, Investor, Entrepreneur, Director of AI/ML

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Series A" OR "Series B" OR "Series C" AI startup via Google News.