STARTUP STAGE: Biliki AI is a travel planner for eco-friendly itineraries

Biliki AI

Biliki AI is building a platform that consumers can use to book sustainability-focused trips, with detailed itineraries that include flights, accommodations and experiences.

The startup was founded by brothers Tornike and George Tsiramua in Tbilisi, Georgia in 2023.

What is your 30-second pitch to investors?

Based on our research, people spend about 30 hours to plan a trip, which is even more overwhelming in this busy world, and 76% of travelers actively seek eco-friendly options. To help people find eco-friendly options, we have created Biliki AI - your one-stop sustainable travel planner. 

We seek to build a platform where users will get detailed itineraries, eco-friendly accommodations, flights and experiences in one space. Let’s transform sustainable travel together.

Describe both the business and technology aspects of your startup.

Biliki AI is an AI-driven personalized trip planner with a commitment to sustainable travel. Our platform is dedicated to saving travelers time and money. It is free to use, and we generate revenue through commissions from our affiliated partners - Booking.com, Agoda and Viator. Every time a user books a service through Biliki AI, we earn a commission.

In a landscape where thousands of products are created using ChatGPT, we've taken a different path by becoming a member of the Google Cloud Startup Program and using Gemini. The Google Cloud environment provides all the technologies we need to create a great product in one space. This data and technology allow us to provide travel recommendations in a faster and smarter way.

Give us your SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the company.

• Strengths: 
  • Team: The founders are brothers and eco-conscious citizens with 10 years of experience working together. Our team consists of nine members - experienced software engineers, ML/AI experts and marketing specialists dedicated to bringing our shared vision into reality. We strive to deliver a fast, smart, personalized and sustainable platform. Being entirely self-funded empowers us to experiment, take risks and prioritize decisions to positively impact travelers and the planet.
  • Advanced AI-driven personalization: Users from 92 countries have already enjoyed Biliki AI. Our platform offers highly personalized travel experiences, setting it apart from generic travel platforms. 
  • Commitment to sustainability: Biliki AI is the only AI-powered platform that focuses on eco-conscious travel, crafting trip plans with 10% lower carbon emissions than regular tours and recommending eco-friendly accommodations. 
  • Strategic partnerships: Affiliation with major service providers like Booking.com, Agoda and Viator enhances the platform's offerings. 
• Weaknesses: 
  • Resources: Limited financial resources can be a challenge for us before we raise an investment. That will slow down product development and marketing activities. 
• Opportunities:
  • Market opportunity: Demand for sustainable travel is increasing, but eco-friendly options are difficult to find. In the meantime the travel planning process itself is complex and overwhelming. The sustainable travel market is currently valued at up to $600 billion and is projected to double by 2027. 
• Threats:
  • Economic uncertainties or downturns can impact travel budgets, affecting user engagement and bookings. Evolving regulations in the travel industry can pose challenges or opportunities that Biliki AI needs to adapt to. The travel industry is competitive, and emerging platforms may pose challenges to Biliki AI's market share. However, we are ready for the competition, and we can all enrich the travel industry and there will be a huge space for us always.

What are the travel pain points you are trying to alleviate from both the customer and the industry perspective?

We are all busy and tired of our daily routines. In the meantime the travel planning process itself is complex and overwhelming, taking an average of five to seven days to plan a one-week trip. The demand for sustainable travel is increasing, but consumers don’t know where to find sustainable travel options. Biliki AI does everything itself, you just need to know where you want to go, what is your interests and the duration of the trip. In just five seconds our platform generates the trip that provides sustainable travel recommendations and a carbon footprint reduction. 

So you've got the product, now how will you get lots of customers?

With organic reach and word of mouth, users from 92 countries have already enjoyed Biliki AI. People are satisfied and happy with the opportunity we are offering. With just one click they can plan their trip just in five seconds, avoid stressful processes and enjoy the travelling curated to their preferences. 

We actively work with digital platforms who support the technological innovations. We already have a commitment from the Georgian Tourism Administration, with 100,000 monthly users, who are planning to integrate platforms into their services. To follow this, we plan to establish partnerships with travel boards from target countries and establish win-win partnerships. 

Our strategy is more than marketing. it's an invitation to join a movement. We want every traveler to feel the excitement of a journey planned just for them, where sustainability meets adventure. So, our approach is not just to acquire customers. It’s about building a community of like-minded travelers who respect our planet and the amazing experiences it offers.

Tell us what process you've gone through to establish a genuine need for your company and the size of the addressable market.

The journey of building Biliki AI began with a deep understanding of the evolving needs in the sustainable travel landscape. Diving deeper into the desires of the modern traveler, we conducted extensive market research. Surveys, interviews, and feedback shown a genuine desire for sustainable, personalized travel experiences. As we see an increase in environmental consciousness around the world, we see a growing market for individuals seeking responsible yet adventurous travel.

Our addressable market shows the expansive realm of travelers who value sustainability, a market currently estimated at $600 billion and projected to double by 2027. By aligning Biliki AI with this market trend, we've positioned ourselves at the forefront of a movement of eco-conscious travel. As we continue to refine our offerings, our commitment to meeting the authentic needs of our users is a guiding light to progress.

How and when will you make money?

We are already making some money, through affiliate marketing. Affiliated programs with service providers like Booking.com, Agoda and Viator. Every time a user books a service through Biliki AI, we earn a commission on average of $20.

What are the backgrounds and previous achievements of the founding team?

Tornike Tsiramua (CEO) – Has more than 10 years of experience in international relations and project management and five years of experience in entrepreneurship, He is a lecturer at the Business and Technology University, Tbilisi, Georgia.

George Tsiramua (CTO) - 12 years of experience implementing  IT solutions in three Caucasus countries.

The founding team already created a product, an award-winning app for self-guided tours addressing Georgia. We became the startup of the year in Georgia and managed to acquire 15,000 active users, but the product was not profitable, so we put it on hold.

How have you addressed diversity and inclusion within your business?

Our team is established with open-minded, talented and experienced professionals. Cooperation with universities helps us to build a team that will understand the core values of our business and deliver them to our customers. Gender balance is very important for us, and we have five female team members onboard.

What's been the most difficult part of founding the business so far?

Building brand awareness and differentiating in a crowded travel tech space require strategic efforts. However, we understand there is 24 hours in each day and night and our commitment pushed us to increase the brand awareness. 

Generally, travel startups face a fairly tough time making an impact - so why are you going to be one of lucky ones?

Biliki AI stands out in the travel industry, driven by advanced AI and a commitment to sustainable experiences. The market we entered is huge and rapidly growing, and our vision is to empower travelers worldwide to explore, respect and preserve our planet through sustainable travel experiences. Biliki AI is the only AI-powered platform oriented on sustainable and eco-friendly travel.

A year from now, what state do you think your startup will be in?

Biliki AI’s growth strategy is structured for continued innovation and global expansion. Our immediate plans include adding features such as a travel personal assistant, AI audio guides, flight tickets and events and providing a comprehensive AI travel assistant. 

Biliki AI will make significant steps in its goal to reduce carbon footprints, with users enjoying up to 10% lower emissions in their personalized travel plans compared to regular tours. Within one year six million users will enjoy the Biliki AI with its smart and fast travel recommendations. 

What is your end-game? (Going public, acquisition, growing and staying private, etc.)

Our guiding light is always going to be customer needs. Biliki AI is founded on the idea that every traveler deserves smart and fast travel experiences based on their preferences. Travelers can have Biliki AI -  a travel assistant who knows travelers' DNA.  

Our long-term goal goes beyond travel platform - Biliki AI is not just another travel platform, it is a one-stop sustainable travel planner that guides traveler into a new era of eco-friendly exploration. We plan to grow and stay private because we believe in this concept, and we can make a huge impact on the travel industry.