Bengaluru-based travel platform Onto has officially launched its services and announced a US$1 million Pre-Seed funding round. The investment was led by Stargazer Fund with participation from Singapore-based White Venture Capital. Founded in June 2026 by former Groww professionals Jagdeep Singh and Shubham Goyal, the startup aims to keep supporting travelers after they complete a booking.
Funding and Launch Details
The company said the fresh capital will be used to scale operations, strengthen its technology infrastructure, and develop new products. Onto enters the travel market with a customer-first approach that begins with hotel bookings. The founders previously worked at Groww and bring experience in building consumer technology products to the travel sector.
Price Drop Refund Offering
Onto's first product, Price Drop Refund, automatically returns the difference to travelers if a hotel price falls after a reservation is made. The feature covers eligible bookings made on Onto as well as select reservations made on other platforms. Refunds are processed to the original payment method, and users receive updates through WhatsApp and app notifications.
After a booking is confirmed, Onto continues monitoring hotel prices for the same room and dates. If a lower price becomes available, the platform automatically refunds the difference without requiring manual action. According to the company, early booking data shows that almost every booking experienced a price change, and one in two bookings resulted in an automatic refund.
Travelers can bring their existing hotel bookings from other platforms to Onto and receive the same price-drop protection. Onto's system recognizes eligible reservations, monitors them, and acts on the traveler's behalf without requiring manual input or additional paperwork. This capability supports the company's promise to stay on the traveler's side after payment is completed.
Platform Reach and Early Interest
Onto has integrations with multiple hotel suppliers, allowing it to offer domestic and international bookings from launch. The company's app recorded more than 2,000 downloads ahead of its official launch, indicating early demand for its approach. The platform aims to simplify price protection for travelers regardless of where they originally booked.
AI-Driven Roadmap
Looking ahead, Onto plans to expand beyond hotel bookings to simplify more parts of the travel journey. The startup is already developing AI-based capabilities that will understand traveler preferences and past behavior. These tools are intended to recommend relevant options, explain why those choices may suit individual needs, and keep the final decision with the traveler.
Founder Perspectives
Co-founder Jagdeep Singh said the travel industry is built around transactions, so support often stops once payment is made. Shubham Goyal added that refunding a price drop requires technology that can recognize, understand, and monitor any hotel booking. The founders view this foundation as essential to supporting travelers throughout the entire trip.
Onto's launch reflects a shift toward post-booking customer support in the travel industry. By offering automatic refunds for price drops on eligible bookings from other platforms, the startup aims to build trust and reduce the effort involved in managing reservations. The new funding positions Onto to expand its technology, broaden its product range, and deliver a more personalized, seamless travel experience in the months ahead.