Boost your confidence this autumn – here’s how to match with your next investor

The travel industry has an annual turnover of over SEK 50 billion. Yet, many travel organisers still use outdated systems that make bookings unnecessarily complicated for customers. Einar Halldin wanted to change this when he founded the SaaS company Vaylo in 2022 – an AI-driven business system built for travel organisers.

The company’s new CEO, Karin Whitlock, believes Vaylo has filled a significant gap in the market. “The old systems were almost impossible to develop further, ” says Karin Whitlock, CEO, Vaylo.

Vaylo is a web-based, flexible platform for selling and managing both tailor-made and packaged trips. The system was developed with the industry – and reality – in mind. We saw how many travel companies were still struggling with outdated systems built in the 2000s: expensive, cumbersome, and nearly impossible to improve. Vaylo is our answer – a new generation of systems that simplify life for organisers, provide better oversight and free up time from manual processes,” she explains, and continues:

“For our customers, this means a more seamless and user-friendly experience – without frustration, duplication or complicated workarounds.”

As a startup (the company has around 20 employees and consultants) and a challenger in a well-established industry, Vaylo needs to raise capital to realise its vision. The company recently raised SEK 8.5 million but is continuously looking for new investors and relationships to take Vaylo to the next level.

That’s why Karin Whitlock and Einar Halldin speed-dated potential financiers at Nordea Investor Speed Dating at Techarena earlier this year.

“Pitching your business model creates great momentum”

“It was truly inspiring to meet so many engaged investors – both VCs and angels. Every meeting we had through Nordea was relevant and gave us something in return, whether it was valuable feedback or new contacts to build on. Many conversations focused on how we solve a concrete problem in a niche industry, which is exactly where our strength lies – understanding the customer’s reality and building something that genuinely makes a difference,” says Karin Whitlock.

The Vaylo team left the speed dating sessions with renewed confidence and plenty of new ideas.

“Nordea makes us feel important, even though we’re a small company”

“An event like this is exactly what you need when you’re seeking funding. We got a real confidence boost, and pitching your business model creates great momentum internally. The ideas and energy we gained from the people we met can be brought into the organisation and used to further develop our business. Even if the event doesn’t always lead to immediate funding, it’s a great way to stress-test your company.”

As a Nordea customer, Karin Whitlock finds the bank very attentive to Vaylo’s challenges and needs.

“We’re fantastically well looked after by them. They’re always full of energy and positivity, and you rarely feel that there are any problems. At Techarena, they were there with a network of people who did everything they could to make our participation as successful as possible. That makes you feel a bit important, even though we’re a small company,” concludes Karin Whitlock.

How to make the best pitch for Investor Speed Dating

Are you running a company that truly solves a problem and is entering a phase where capital is needed? Are you in a growth phase, facing national or international expansion? Then this event is for you.

Johanna Björk, Growth Banker at Nordea Startup & Growth, recommends spending a little extra time on your pitch in the application form.

“Those who have been matched previously did just that. In your short pitch, you should clearly state the problem you solve, your team, how much capital you’re seeking and what it will be used for,” she says.