GydeXP, an AI-powered experiential travel platform, has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round from Rukam Sitara, an Indian early-stage venture capital fund. The round values the startup at Rs 15 crore.
Built with a vision of connecting travellers with local guides to ensure authentic personalised and safe adventures, GydeXP is tackling three deep-rooted travel challenges fragmented planning, superficial connections, and post-trip memory loss. The platform integrates cutting-edge AI (branded as Travel Studio), creator-led trip curation, and seamless memory capture into a single app experience.
Purpose of fundraising
The startup will use the raised funds to enhance its AI-driven product capabilities, onboard top travel creators to grow its community ecosystem, and scale travel operations in select high-potential destinations like Goa, Dalhousie, and Bali.
“Travel without people is just sight-seeing”, said Aakarshan Saxena, Co-Founder & CEO. “Our initial communities of founders, creators, and travellers don’t want another booking platform; they want meaningful connections and timeless memories.”
Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner at Rukam Capital, said, “India’s travel economy is growing exponentially but travellers are always on the lookout for authentic experiences. When we met Gyde XP for the first time at Start up Table with AJ, we realised that this platform is helping bridge an important gap in the industry that is backed by a strategic and passionate founder vision.”
GydeXP recently made waves with Rs 40 lakh in net sales and over 1,000 travellers during the MahaKumbh 2025. The startup empowers travel creators to monetize their expertise through curated getaways while offering travellers AI-planned, community-driven experiences.
As per a McKinsey and Skift report, the global personalised travel and experiences segment expected to touch $447.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.8%. In India alone, the total travel and tourism market is estimated to grow to $492 billion by 2028. Industry insight also revealed that travellers are primarily seeking meaningful connections with like-minded individuals during their journeys, with “meeting new people” ranking as the top motivation, ahead of freedom and flexibility.
