Since launching in 2009, KelBillet aims to provide the most comprehensive offer for travellers looking to find the best way to reach their destination.
Based on the idea to help conscious travellers to save time and money, the Rennes-based company generated €40 million of business volume for its partners in 2015. The French startup, whose business model is based on cost per click, expects to reach upt to €100 million of business volume for the year 2016.
According to KelBillet, revenues generated by the various ground transport modes get more balanced with the growing popularity of the bus and ride sharing. If the train generates most of the company’s turnover (47% in 2015) the new modes (bus and ride sharing) are attracting more and more VFR travellers (Visit Friends and Relatives). These people travelling between 100 and 1000 km to see relatives and friends, especially during weekends and short breaks, drive the company’s profits.
A trend already confirmed for the first quarter 2016: the turnover generated on the bus increased from 16% in 2015 to 23% in 2016. Ride sharing accounted for 12% of the sales in 2015 and 17% for the first quarter of 2016.
“We are leader in France on the ground transportation market, for all inter-city journeys. We believe in the potential of this market yet neglected by many players” analyses Yann Raoul, CEO and founder of the company.
With 3.5 million visitors per month and a profitable business model, KelBillet exports well. The company operates in the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany under the brand Gopili – which it launched in the beginning of 2015. KelBillet allocates €2 million, financed with its own equity and a bank lending from the BPI (a public investment bank of France), to further accelerate its international development. The company has already recruited 5 persons since January, and plans ten recruitments by the end of the year to support its international expansion.
