Onto Announces Launch and $1 Million Pre‑Seed Funding

Onto, a Bengaluru‑based travel platform founded by former Groww professionals Jagdeep Singh and Shubham Goyal, has officially launched its services. The company introduced its first offering, Price Drop Refund, which automatically refunds travellers the difference when a hotel’s price falls after a booking is made, even for eligible bookings originally placed on other platforms. Refunds are credited to the original payment method and travellers receive real‑time updates via WhatsApp and in‑app notifications.

The launch is backed by a USD 1 million pre‑seed funding round. The round was led by Stargazer Fund and co‑led by Singapore‑based White Venture Capital. The fresh capital will be used to scale operations, strengthen technology infrastructure, and develop new AI‑driven products as Onto moves toward a more connected, personalized travel experience.

Onto’s mobile app recorded more than 2,000 downloads ahead of its official launch, indicating early consumer interest. Early booking data reveal that almost every booking experienced a price change after it was made, and one in two bookings resulted in an automatic refund to the traveller. The platform has deeper integrations with multiple hotel suppliers, enabling it to offer bookings across domestic and international destinations from day one.

Looking ahead, Onto plans to expand beyond hotel bookings. The company is developing AI‑led capabilities intended to understand travellers’ preferences and past travel behaviour, recommend relevant options, and explain why those recommendations may suit the user, while keeping decision‑making in the traveller’s hands.

Founder quotes:

  • Jagdeep Singh said the travel industry stops caring once a payment is made, and Onto aims to stay on the traveller’s side by refunding price drops and eventually managing the entire trip.
  • Shubham Goyal emphasized that a customer‑first platform must embed technology at its core, allowing the system to recognise any hotel booking, monitor price changes, and act without user effort.

For more information, visit the Onto website at onto.travel or download the app via onto.onelink.me/Cw2x/1abzgarq.