Five start-ups have been shortlisted for the final of the Business Travel Show's Disrupt Award. BTiQ has been profiling some of the disruptors ahead of the exhibition, where 14 newcomers to the business travel industry will be exhibiting in Launchpad.
In this part of the series, we hear from Max Rangeley, CEO, ReboundTAG. See the final on Wednesday 22nd February, 4pm at the Business Travel Show where ReboundTAG will pitch alongside FairFly, TripCloud, Transporters.io and DataSyrup. Register here if you aren't already.
When did you launch?
We have worked with airlines on luggage microchip systems for several years but we completely redesigned the microchip luggage tag for the wider travel industry in 2016. This involved a redesign of the product itself as well as the services we can deliver to be a completely streamlined process.
How many people are working for the company?
We have almost 20 people including sales partners with whom we work closely (for instance in retail and luxury hotels).
Sum up what your company/product does in one sentence.
ReboundTAG is the first microchip luggage tag that works in all airports worldwide - your bag can be identified anywhere if it gets lost by an airline.
Why is it disruptive?
Luggage tracking has been stagnant for decades but is now undergoing a technological revolution. ReboundTAG makes the service available to all air travellers to ensure bags do not get lost when they travel.
What problem does it solve?
Airlines lose around 25 million bags every year, enough said!
What platforms is it available on and can integrate with?
All our processing is through our own system so that it is simple to use for baggage handlers etc. It is also integrated with global baggage reconciliation networks so that an airport/airline can use their own baggage terminal to process the bag when it has been found.
Which companies are using it already?
We have provided tags to airlines, travel management companies, hotel chains and travel agents as well as some banks and telecoms companies for corporate promotions.
What do travel managers like about it?
It means that your travellers' bags are protected worldwide when they travel, also the corporate logo on the branded tag will be visible so that your customers do your branding for you.
What are your growth plans?
The wider travel market is in many ways the most interesting for us. As well as speaking to corporations we also plan on providing microchip luggage tags to golfing companies, musical instrument manufacturers, skiing companies and any other where people do not want to lose their luggage — which essentially means the entire travel industry.