The start-up section “John Belongs” is about the companies of tomorrow. Who are the people behind the new business ideas? Stories, conversations and observations from the world of the founders.
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He is on a great journey …!
Naren Shaam (37) is an exceptional founder on the start-up scene. With the Berlin travel platform “Omio” he runs one of the most valuable tech companies in Germany – with 27 million users and worth over a billion euros.
Most recently, Shaam raised around 100 million US dollars from investors to expand his company. A sensation in the German start-up scene – especially at the time of Corona.
Shaam was born in Bangalore (India’s third largest city) and went on a backpack trip through Europe after studying at Harvard. When organizing trips on the Internet annoyed him, he founded the travel portal Omio in Berlin in 2013. The idea: book a trip by train, plane or other means of transport on one ticket with just a few clicks.
Photo: Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters-“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/sein-unternehmen-omio-ist-einer-der-wertvollsten-tech-unternehmen-in-deutschland-201507245-72493416/Bild/11. bild.jpg “/>
Naren Shaam – his company Omio is one of the most valuable tech companies in GermanyPhoto: Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters
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In BILD, the exceptional Indian entrepreneur speaks about …
► … Social Media
“I have a few accounts, but I only use them for good news. Otherwise I have colleagues who are more familiar with it. “
► … traveling during Corona
“According to our data, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are currently among the safest places in the world. Our employees at Omio constantly update an overview of the Corona situation in other countries, which everyone can see. “
► … starting up in Germany
“Most of the innovations currently come from the USA or China. It is time for us as a company to start the big ideas from Germany. I come from Bangalore in India. But I would choose Germany again at any time. Here you can shape innovation. One day we will definitely go to India with Omio, but as a German company to strengthen Germany as a business location.
Photo: Omio-“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/das-reiseportal-omio-mit-einem-office-unter-anderem-in-berlin-betreut-ueber-27-millionen-kunden- weltw-201505695-72493418 / image / 7.bild.jpg “/>
The travel portal Omio (here before Corona) – with an office in Berlin among others – looks after over 27 million customers worldwidePhoto: Omio
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► … investments
“Before Corona, we had big plans, we wanted to expand to Australia or the USA. With the pandemic, our revenues fell 98 percent – within two weeks we had ten million cancellations. But we stayed calm because we believe in the idea of simple travel. The executives have waived their salaries. We set up a fund for employees in need and talked a lot with our customers. With the investment of 100 million, we want to secure jobs in Germany and other countries. Because we see that people are traveling again. Travel will never go away.
► … future
“Travel companies will become even more consumer-oriented in the future. That means they have to give users more information about where to go or whether I need a mask on site. 50 percent of the tickets are still sold in printed form at counters or kiosks. For me, the future lies in digital booking. I also believe that transport and logistics and goods will prevail at the push of a button. “
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