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Tumodo Secures $35 Million To Transform MENA Business Travel
The B2B travel platform combines data science, user-friendly design, and world-class service to bring businesses and employees the best travel experiences.
Tumodo, an innovative business travel platform founded in 2023, has announced the successful completion of a $35 million pre-seed funding round, co-led by prominent angel investors focused on the MENA region.
The substantial injection of capital will serve as a catalyst for Tumodo’s expansion in the UAE market, continued product development, and the exploration of new partnership prospects. Additionally, the company has ambitious plans to extend its reach across 25 countries worldwide by 2026.
Tumodo offers businesses a streamlined solution to book flights and accommodation for hundreds of employees in under two minutes. Notably, the platform provides complete transparency, free from hidden fees, allowing businesses to manage expenses with greater precision. The company is also working on an AI feature to simplify trip planning, offering seamless integration with corporate HR systems.
Stan Klyuy, Tumodo’s Chief Commercial Officer, explained, “[Tumodo’s] mission is to contribute to the MENA business travel market, ensuring not only its rapid recovery but also positioning it as a leader in technological innovation. We facilitate the establishment of efficient business processes, optimize travel expense management, and bolster employee productivity while ensuring compliance with travel policies. On average, our clients achieve a remarkable 35% reduction in their business travel expenses”.
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Tumodo has already gained the trust of over 100 businesses in the MENA region, boasting connectivity to major distribution channels, global hotel chains, and collaborations with over 400 airlines. In addition, Tumodo’s support specialists are available to assist in trip organization, helping to meet travel objectives while maximizing return on investment.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, even during the pandemic, business travel expenditures surpassed leisure travel spending. During 2021-2022, the growth rate of the business travel market exceeded that of leisure travel by 1-10% in many regions, reaching nearly 15% in the Middle East market.
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Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
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