Ask the CEO (4) - Reuven Levitt, Tripbase.com

Today 'Ask the CEO' features Reuven Levitt  from Tripbase located in Palo Alto, California, USA (again Silicon Valley!)

1. What problem (s) your company is trying to solve? 

Tripbase helps undecided travelers to find their ideal vacation destination within seconds. Our personalized “Destination Finder” eliminates the time-consuming and frustrating online search process by providing travelers with unbiased, personalized travel recommendations for their next trip. Rather than sifting through mountains of data, users simply enter in their travel preferences and receive information on the best destinations, hotels, activities etc. all tailored to them. Our Road Trip Planner also helps budget travelers to plan their ideal road trip vacation.

2. How did you finance your venture?

We are funded by an A list group of angel investors who understand our vision and trust our execution.  An expression I often refer to is “Vision without execution is hallucination".

Wow.Great quote indeed. Is that from you Reuven?

3. In a difficult climate of uncertainty, how do you attract talents to join you adventure?

Contrary to popular belief, recessions are actually great drivers of innovation and progress. It’s the painful process of trimming the fat that gives the true innovators great opportunities to grow. And as for attracting talent, we’ve seen the market flooded with exceptionally talented people in recent months, a group of which I have the great fortune to work with.

I remember I heard that before at Le Web08 when Morten Lund said that in this recession will only emerge true entrepreneurs, the others will come back to their safe job (McKinsey and other consulting companies)

4. Could you explain your revenue model

Tripbase inspires people to find exciting and relevant travel destinations and everything that’s involved in making those vacations their own. We provide great booking and price comparison resources for flights, hotels, car rentals, tours and much more. We offer these resources in a highly personalized manner to help travelers find the best destinations for them, at the very best price.

5. Who gives you inspiration when you feel down whilst leading your company?

I always seek balance in life and so look to people who have succeeded in creating successful ventures whilst maintaining an interesting and exciting life behind the scenes.  A few inspirational names that spring to mind who seem to be good at working hard and enjoying life include Richard Branson, Steve Jobs and the Dalai Lama.

You know what... I was expecting that one day a CEO will mention Richard Branson and you did it!

a/ Fave hotel experience

Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur, India.
Ranger Station, Corcovado, Costa Rica.

b/ Mac or PC?

PC

c/ Explorer or Firefox?

Firefox

d/ MP3 or CD?

MP3

e/ Twitter or Facebook?

Both

CrunchBase Information

Tripbase

Information provided by CrunchBase

If you'd like to read more other interviews with CEOs just click on the logo "Ask the CEO on the right of the site, otherwise it's here.

Comments

[Madurai Hotels, Pollachi hotels]

Thanks for u r information

[Linda Milligan]

This makes travel so easy ! Thanks, Linda Milligan, USA

[John Embleton]

Excellent service model that is needed to navigate such a multi facited industry.

[Juanita Dobbs]

traveling to day is such a hassle. Nice to have a travel agency like tripbase to take care of all your needs.

[Nora Weaver]

What a great and informative interview. Tripbase is unique in its capabilities for travel decision making. I applaud your concept, your execution and your product.
And thanks for your "eco-travel" emphasis.
Nora Weaver

[nayana ayal]

Ive used Tripbase too and found them wonderfully refreshing!

there's alot of same old same old sites out there today, so I was thrilled to have found a site that offers a new approach to travel information Well done guys !!

[Madurai Hotels]

Nice article

[Alan Price]

Great interview. I've used TripBase and think it is the next great thing in harnessing the power of the internet to collect and manage data to simplify the travel experience. Thanks for the information. Alan