The Montreal-based global ground travel booking platform Busbud has acquired South Africa-based Ratality with the intent to integrate its revenue management optimization software.
"This is a very special partnership that will add a key missing piece to our growing B2B offering," said LP Maurice, CEO and co-founder of Busbud.
The move should enable Busbud to work toward becoming a complete solution provider. Busbud did not disclose terms of the agreement but said Ratality marks its first foray into mergers and acquisitions in Africa.
Busbud, which has worked with Ratality, expects to bolster its business suite by integrating Ratality’s expertise. The enhancements should include “game changing” features such as dynamic pricing, fleet and driver management, advanced demand forecasting and solutions for the rentals and charter industries.
Busbud's business suite includes an inventory management system, a white label e-commerce platform and now with the acquisition of Ratality a revenue management system. The suite is used by more than 350 partners around the world.
"We've heard firsthand from ground travel operators the tangible results they've achieved by using Ratality to generate more revenue for their businesses,” said Maurice.
Maurice said Busbud has been impressed by Ratality’s technology and platform capabilities and said Busbud wants to put those capabilities in the hands of its operator partners around the globe.
Joining forces should benefit Ratality, too, according to Arend de Waal, CEO and co-founder of Ratality.
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"Our innovative revenue management solutions generate immediate [return on investment] for our partners and have already been proven in other travel sectors like airlines," de Waal said. "Overall, this combination unlocks untapped potential for bus operators, maximizing revenue and operational efficiency."
De Waal is set to continue as CEO and co-founder of Ratality and has joined Busbud’s global leadership team. Busbud also said Ratality’s team will act in a complementary fashion. The brand name will stay intact and Busbud plans to grow and scale Rataliy’s services.
Busbud has been active in mergers and acquisitions.
Earlier this year, for example, Busbud acquired Brazil-based Buson - marking its largest M&A move to-date, at the time. And in 2022, the company merged with Betterez, a reservation system and ticket management platform for ground travel operators. The same year, Busbud acquired Recorrido, an intercity bus marketplace.