Established in January 2020, Mappls KOGO stands as a trailblazer in the realm of AI-driven travel expertise in India. With a dynamic AI-driven travel ecosystem boasting over 17 million locational data points and rich geo-intelligence, KOGO.ai has evolved from an AI storytelling platform into a multifaceted travel discovery and booking ecosystem. Unique features like the AI Trip Maker and the voice-enabled Kogonaut Chat make Mappls KOGO a game-changer in the travel industry. The platform, backed by two funding rounds worth INR 190 million from MapMyIndia, has expanded its reach through collaborations with renowned brands and plans further global expansion into the Middle East, Latin America, and ASEAN markets. Below is a transcript from a recent email interaction between an FYI9 News correspondent and Mr. Praveer Kochhar, Co-founder & CTO, Kogo Tech Labs, Mr. Raj K Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Co-Founder, Kogo Tech Labs.
Prateek: Can you share more details about the KOGO technology stack and how the Kogonaut Chatbot and voice-based travel discovery feature stand out in the travel industry?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: Since its inception in 2020, Mappls KOGO has been on a journey to redefine travel experiences by providing travelers with easy and efficient travel discovery and planning solutions. KOGO.ai aims to revolutionize travel and hyper-local experiences using its proprietary AI technology, geospatial intelligence, and real-time travel data that delivers personalized bookable recommendations. Mappls KOGO is designed to deliver on the promise of saving time and money while enhancing the pre-, during, and post-travel experience.
Mappls KOGO’s domain extends far beyond just the app. It’s a travel and experiences juggernaut with a colossal bookable travel ecosystem. With access to over a million hotels, more than 300,000 unique experiences, 20,000+ detailed itineraries, and a treasure trove of route information, our platform offers a one-stop shop for every wanderer’s dream.
Our Geospatial engine, powered by Mappls and our own in-house knowledge-gathering and querying engine, lets us gather data from all possible sources at scale.KOGO’s AI Trip Maker and intelligent search feature have set new industry standards, curating detailed travel plans in just minutes, and providing travelers with distinctive recommendations. While the app remains free for general users, Mappls KOGO’s Kogo X Travel Membership program, allows members to savor the lowest prices without pesky commissions while booking hotels, flights, and activities.
Prateek: Could you elaborate on how the indigenous AI travel-based engine works and the specific ways in which it has brought innovation to the industry?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: KOGO stands out in the travel industry by revolutionizing the user experience through its voice-enabled Kogonaut Chat, allowing interactions with an AI Travel Expert for personalized tips on places, food, culture, and history. Powered by an indigenous AI travel engine and AI voice assistant, KOGO utilizes data from a vast travel ecosystem with 17 million data points, including flights, hotels, experiences, itineraries, and route information. The platform, evolving from an AI storytelling tool, now offers a multifaceted travel discovery and booking experience, complemented by a KOGO X membership for access to the lowest prices. Beyond functionality, KOGO distinguishes itself by integrating community and social engagement features, making it a comprehensive and interactive travel companion, and setting it apart from competitors in the market.
Prateek: How does this extensive data contribute to the user experience, and what sets KOGO apart from other players in the market?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: KOGO extends its coverage beyond mere destinations in India; it proudly encompasses the country, meticulously navigating through every region and corner. Through our partnership with Mappls MapMyIndia, the platform boasts a unique travel ecosystem, leveraging over 17 million locational data points and advanced geo-intelligence supported by Mappls. This not only empowers users with unparalleled navigational capabilities but also forms the foundation of KOGO’s functionality, including its vast bookable travel ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses flights, 1 million hotels, 300,000+ experiences, 20,000+ detailed itineraries, and extensive route information.
Over the past three years, KOGO has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from its origins as an AI storytelling platform into a versatile travel discovery and booking ecosystem. Today, it stands as the ultimate AI Travel Expert, distinguished by innovative community and social engagement features that set us apart from competitors. This evolution reflects our unwavering commitment to not just meet but exceed the expectations of our users, making every travel experience with KOGO truly exceptional.
Prateek: The recent funding rounds by MapMyIndia have supported KOGO substantially. How does this funding contribute to KOGO’s growth plans, and what strategic initiatives does the company have in mind for the future?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: The recent infusion of INR 190 million in two funding rounds from MapMyIndia has significantly bolstered KOGO’s growth trajectory. This financial support is pivotal for KOGO’s expansion plans, particularly in the Middle East, Latin America, and ASEAN markets. Beyond geographical reach, KOGO aims to fortify its position in the mobility landscape by licensing its stack to OEMs, and fostering partnerships with industry giants such as KTM, TVS, JAWA, and HERO. This strategic move has amplified KOGO’s outreach to over 4 million users through B2B2C channels. Additionally, our commitment to innovation is evident through its in-house lab, dedicated to developing solutions that elevate the travel and stepping-out experience, further solidifying KOGO’s standing as a leader in the evolving travel tech landscape.
KOGO has established exclusive partnerships with prominent motorcycle brands like KTM, TVS, JAWA, and HERO, redefining hyperlocal experiences. Can you share more about the nature of these partnerships and how they enhance the overall travel experience for users?
We’re thrilled about how our exclusive partnerships with esteemed motorcycle brands like KTM, TVS, JAWA, and HERO are reshaping hyperlocal experiences for our users. These collaborations go beyond conventional boundaries, enhancing the overall travel experience in remarkable ways. Through curated travel stories across deployments with major OEMs like Bajaj, TVS, and Jawa motorcycles, our users leverage the KOGO AI Storytelling feature to craft rich travelogues, capturing every detail of their adventures. One extraordinary tale saw a couple using the app to cycle from Kanyakumari to Kashmir over 40 days, creating an incredible narrative of their journey, stops, and memories.
These partnerships have not only expanded our reach to an audience exceeding 4 million through B2B2C channels but also allowed us to innovate continually through our in-house lab, dedicated to creating solutions that elevate the travel and stepping-out experience. More than a partnership it’s about creating a community of adventurers and storytellers who redefine what travel means to them.
Prateek: How do features like AI trip maker, Kogonaut with voice assistance, and the KOGO X membership add value to users, and what kind of user engagement and feedback have you observed since their introduction?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: At Mappls KOGO, we take immense pride in how our innovative features have truly transformed the travel experience for our users. The AI Trip Maker, a gem in our arsenal, swiftly crafts personalized itineraries encompassing everything from routes to accommodations, experiences, restaurants, and attractions, all bookable at competitive prices. The Kogonaut with voice assistance adds a conversational touch, connecting users with our AI Travel Expert for insightful tips on places, food, culture, and history. With our indigenous AI travel engine fueled by a vast ecosystem of 17 million data points, we’re not just navigating, we’re changing the game. The KOGO X membership takes things a step further, granting users access to the lowest prices sans commissions. Since the launch, the response has been incredible, with users engaging positively and sharing feedback that reflects the platform’s effectiveness in delivering tailored, immersive, and cost-effective travel experiences. It’s more than a platform; it’s a personalized journey we’re crafting for every adventurer out there.
Prateek: How does the recent partnership with Zoom Car contribute to KOGO’s offerings and market presence?
Praveer Kochhar & Raj K Gopalakrishnan: Our recent partnership with Zoomcar is an offering like none other and it’s here to revolutionize the travel industry. By seamlessly integrating our AI-powered travel expertise with Zoomcar’s leading car-sharing platform, we are not merely amplifying KOGO’s offerings; we are redefining the very fabric of travel experiences. While Mappls KOGO’s AI-enabled features such as its unique Trip Maker and Kogonaut provide travellers with distinctive recommendations, Zoomcar’s seamless booking system and premium car range cater to their specific travel needs. Imagine the unparalleled offering that we are bringing to our users when it comes to travel in India. Not only are we equipping them with on-the-spot personalized travel itineraries, real-time travel data, and competitively priced stay and flight booking options, but now are also bringing them access to offbeat travel destinations that they are largely unaware of, along with the means to reach those – Zoomcar self-drive. Furthermore, this partnership also creates a comprehensive travel ecosystem, in sync with the trends of responsible travel and shared mobility, providing travelers with an all-encompassing experience.
This is more than a partnership to us; it’s a personalized and tech-savvy journey, reshaping how individuals experience and enjoy travel in ways we are truly excited about.
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