Berlin-based Distribusion has just raised €80 million in Series C funding to make booking ground transport tickets—like buses, trains, ferries, and public transport—much easier. Leading the funding round was TQ Ventures, with participation from Lightrock, which had also backed them in their earlier €30 million Series B round in 2022.
With this new funding, Distribusion plans to expand globally and improve its technology to better serve its 2,000+ transport providers and travel retailers, ultimately making the travel experience smoother for millions of passengers.
Solving an Industry Problem
The ground transportation industry has been slow to go digital, relying on outdated systems for scheduling and booking tickets. This has made it confusing and time-consuming for travelers to plan and book trips online. Even today, most tickets are still bought offline, showing how far behind the digital transformation is.
Distribusion is tackling this head-on with its B2B marketplace that connects transport operators to a wide network of online travel agents, meta-search engines, and other platforms, making it easier for customers to book tickets in one place.
Expanding the Digital Marketplace for Transport
Founded in 2012 by Johannes Thunert and Julian Hauck, Distribusion has been working to digitize how ground transportation is sold worldwide. They connect transport providers—whether bus, rail, ferry, or public transport—to the digital marketplace. With a presence in 70 countries, the company is rapidly expanding beyond Europe and into new markets.
They’ve also partnered with big names like Google, Booking.com, and Alipay. Their rail network is particularly impressive, covering top European operators like Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and Trenitalia, plus major global players like Amtrak in the US and rail services in Asia, including Indonesia and Vietnam Rail.
What the Investors Are Saying
Schuster Tanger, Co-Managing Partner at TQ Ventures, shared, “We’ve been keeping an eye on Distribusion for a couple of years, and we’re really impressed with what they’ve built. Their technology is pushing innovation in ground transportation and providing real value to their partners. We’re excited to support them as they continue to grow.”
Chris Steinau, Partner at Lightrock, added, “Since we first invested in 2022, Distribusion has expanded to new regions, grown significantly, and become profitable. They’re not just making transport booking easier—they’re also helping create a positive environmental impact by promoting mass transport over private cars, which fits perfectly with our mission.”
Changing the Future of Transport
Dr. Thomas Doering, CEO of Distribusion, highlighted the importance of mass transport for the future: “Only 10% of the world’s population has access to private cars, and our infrastructure is already feeling the strain. We need to rethink how we deliver mass transport, and Distribusion is proving it can be a crucial part of that solution by making it more accessible for everyone.”
With this new funding, Distribusion is set to continue making ground transport booking more streamlined and accessible around the world.