Amsterdam, February 20th, 2025 – Transferz, a global leader in pre-booked ground transportation, today announces a new financing facility from ABN AMRO. The partnership underscores Transferz’s commitment to sustainable, long-term growth and will further its goal of providing fair payment terms to local transport providers—measured in days rather than weeks.
Building on strong momentum, Transferz sees this new financing facility as a key accelerator of its “Fare = Fair” principle. In a market often hindered by unsustainable pricing and aggregator-driven models, the partnership with ABN AMRO ensures sustainable payment terms for local drivers while accelerating investments in machine learning and technology—ultimately enhancing service quality for travelers.
“The future of pre-booked ground transportation will be defined by those who prioritize quality, fairness, and technological advancement,” said Maarten Vrijhof, CFO at Transferz. “With ABN AMRO’s backing, we’re solidifying our position to pay local drivers promptly, give our data and tech teams a boost, and look to further expand our market reach.”
Sustainable Growth Over Short-Term Gains
Rather than chasing volume at the expense of quality, Transferz focuses on building a resilient network of local transfer companies. The new funding will reinforce Transferz’s commitment to fostering stable cash flow for these local ground transportation partners, enabling them to invest in fleet upgrades, driver training, and higher service standards—all essential for a sustainable ecosystem.
The Role of Technology
Transferz believes that smart finance, combined with smart technology, creates a smarter industry—one free from fragmented networks, opaque pricing, and cash flow struggles. By leveraging big data, Transferz optimizes supply and demand, ensuring a seamless, high-quality traveler experience while keeping environmental impact in mind.
ABN AMRO supports fast growing digital companies
“At ABN AMRO, we are committed to driving the digital transition by supporting both established enterprises and dynamic, fast-growing companies,” states Jean Paul Roelofs, Corporate Lender at ABN AMRO. “Our recent financing of Transferz underscores this commitment. We aim to empower scalable companies, particularly those in the realms of digital platforms, SaaS, and AI, as they approach profitability. Transferz stands out with its highly scalable business model and strong potential to lead the global market. This potential is supported by a robust shareholder base, a seasoned management team, and an impressive client portfolio. As Transferz embarks on its promising growth journey, it embodies our brand promise, ‘For every beginning,’ and we are excited to be part of their success story.
A New Standard for Industry Leadership
“Our journey is still in its early days, but every step is guided by a clear vision to be the global leader in pre-booked ground transportation,” added Johan van Vulpen, CEO and founder of Transferz. “We don’t believe in quick wins—we believe in winning the right way.”
Contact
For more information, please visit www.transferz.com
Transferz
Maarten Vrijhof (CFO)
ABN AMRO
ABN AMRO Press Office
Marieke Ziedses Des Plantes, Senior Press Officer
+31 6 57 12 15 00
]]>In a recent article on TechLeap’s Scaleup platform, Transferz is celebrated for its innovative approach to smart transport and fair pricing. This recognition comes as a testament to our commitment to transforming the way people experience travel.
What’s the Buzz About?
TechLeap.nl, a leading resource for scaleups and tech innovation in the Netherlands, has spotlighted Transferz for our significant strides in the transport sector. The article, titled “Transferz: Smart Transport, Fair Prices,” delves into how we’re redefining the industry with our cutting-edge solutions and transparent pricing model.
Why It Matters
Our mission at Transferz has always been to make travel seamless and accessible. Being featured by TechLeap.nl is not just a win for us but also for our incredible users who believe in our vision. This recognition validates our efforts and motivates us to keep pushing the envelope in delivering exceptional transport solutions.
What’s Next?
As we bask in this exciting recognition, we’re already gearing up for more innovations and improvements. Our team is working hard to enhance our services, integrate new technologies, and expand our reach so that more travelers can benefit from Transferz.
Join Us in Celebrating!
We want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated team, loyal customers, and supportive partners. Without you, none of this would be possible. Your trust and enthusiasm drive us forward, and we’re eager to continue this journey with you.
Feel free to check out the full article on TechLeap’s Scaleup News here to learn more about our feature.
Stay tuned for more updates and exciting announcements as we continue to innovate and enhance your travel experience!
]]>Below, I will reflect on our industry dynamics and emphasize on what I believe to be one of the key threats towards creating and maintaining a sustainable environment for the full ground transportation value chain.
The Fragmented B2B Ground Transportation Market
The B2B ground transportation market is currently highly fragmented, with no established market leader. Each party active in selling ground transportation services has carved out its own niche through winning certain traveller demand contracts (i.e. OTAs, Tour Operators, Airlines, Travel Agencies). These demand generators require truly global operational coverage, the highest possible customer experience for their travelers, and, unfortunately, extremely low price points for contracting these services.
Currently, no provider of ground transportation services has achieved a truly globally covering network of suppliers. This lack of a comprehensive network has resulted in a landscape of volume-based interdependencies to provide global coverage to demand generators. To address this gap, ground transportation service aggregators (or: platforms) integrate with each other to extend their supply reach. While this allows aggregators to try to dominate the market, it even more so compromises the quality of pre-booked ground transportation services for travellers and it facilitates a race to the bottom on price.
Let me illustrate this by providing a graphical overview below:
Schematically shown on the right, it is common practice to interchange supply and demand between platforms in the travel industry. While this approach might work for more static products like hotel inventory and flights, it falls short in the dynamic world of ground transportation. The introduction of (multiple) non-value-adding layers in a single transaction compromises the reliability of constant quality by failing to pass through the right operational details, such as the contact number and driver meeting point instructions, but also the oversight on adherence to service level agreements (e.g., driver waiting times, quality principles of vehicles) for all parties involved.
Another negative dynamic I mentioned earlier is the race to the bottom on price. Despite multiple layers and middlemen typically increasing costs, in our industry, prices are squeezed at the end of the supply chain. Travel brands push revenue pressure down the line, and whilst aggregators won’t give in, this harshly affects drivers who are crucial for providing the transportation service and supporting their local communities. Travel brands and aggregating platforms share a responsibility to counter this dynamic to sustain fair business practices and support local economies. Building long-term relationships with volume commitments and better payment terms can benefit the entire value chain.
At Transferz, we strictly go for direct supply, direct networks, and direct relationships, as shown on the left in the illustration. This not only allows us to control and optimize the quality of the delivered service but also ensures we can maintain a fair pricing model, which we call our Fare = Fair principle. We build our pricing from the bottom up, starting with an honest fare that allows local transfer companies to sustainably deliver transportation services.
Why We Believe the Pure-Play Aggregator Model is Obsolete
The pure-play aggregator model as described above has long been defunct, and the current setbacks in our sector are a testament to this. Middlemen add layers of complexity that detract from the value of the transportation services provided. The primary goal of pure-play aggregators is to lock in as many API integrations on both the demand and supply sides to push transactions in high volumes. However, as scalability often outpaces quality in these business models, little investment is made in ensuring the quality of the services delivered.
Quality-determining factors, driven by technology and strict operational processes are often compromised in the pursuit of speed and scale. Transferz advocates for direct supply, direct networks, and direct relationships. Fewer intermediaries mean cleaner and more complete dataflows, less information loss and better outcomes.
The Flaws of the Volume Game and How Transferz Builds to Last
It is concerning to see that many players in our industry still cling to the volume game—pursuing high volumes, low prices, and low margins without shouldering the operational costs necessary to deliver true quality of service whilst fighting for a sustainable living of their local suppliers. They bypass these costs to focus solely on topline growth. This approach is unsustainable and belongs to the pre-COVID era.
At Transferz, we focus on sustainable growth and profitability without compromising the ecosystem we operate in. This commitment extends through our teams and shareholders. To secure a long-term winning position, we continue to invest in acquiring the right talent, technology, and bringing highest quality to the market. We aim to grow profitable volumes and disrupt industry entanglements.
Our goal is to be a true partner to travel brands, local transfer companies, and their communities, ensuring that drivers who support their families can thrive and drive. We acknowledge that our journey started just 43 months ago, and we have not yet arrived at our destination, but we push ourselves every day to deliver sustainability and highest available quality, as we have a responsibility to our industry.
Safe travels!
]]>Tjerk brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record. His expertise in quality management, innovation and operational excellence during past roles at TomTom, Navads (CIO), Uberall (CoS), Dealroom (COO), and Mach49 (Venture Partner) makes him the perfect fit for this role. He will define a higher level of quality standards and streamlined processes, ensuring that every touchpoint in our value chain delivers the results needed for our drivers, travellers and partners.
While the role of CQO is not commonly found in scale-ups, we at Transferz recognize the critical importance of having a dedicated leader to guarantee and further develop the quality of our offerings. Tjerk’s appointment underscores our dedication to maintaining and enhancing the service level standards that our partners, transfer companies and travelers have come to expect from us.
This strategic move aligns with Transferz’s vision on the market, as recently shared by founder/CEO Johan van Vulpen in his recent post on LinkedIn where he emphasizes that in a competitive and dynamic market, quality of delivered services and sustainable growth are key differentiators. “By appointing a CQO, we are doubling down on our commitment to delivering unparalleled quality and reliability, and therefore we are excited to welcome Tjerk to the team. Tjerk’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue to scale and strive for excellence in every area of our business,” said Johan van Vulpen. He continues: “Additionally, over the past years, Tjerk and I have built a high level of mutual trust and understanding whilst working together at Navads from 2016 to 2018. During this period, we turned around the company and achieved operational profitability in a short and intense time. Our proven track record of high-paced collaboration and success bodes well for the future of Transferz.”
Tjerk’s focus will span across all operational facets of Transferz, from partner integrations and customer interactions to internal processes and technological advancements. His leadership will ensure that quality and innovation are embedded in our company culture and operational DNA.
Please join us in welcoming Tjerk van der Lande to Transferz! Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Transferz as we continue to drive quality and innovation in the ground transportation industry.
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The Techleap RISE program is known for identifying and supporting high-potential scale-ups, and being chosen is a testament to our hard work and commitment to excellence. We look forward to leveraging this program to enhance our capabilities and better serve our customers and partners.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we embark on this new journey with Techleap RISE!
What motivated you to join Transferz, and how do you see your role contributing to our company’s success?
“I decided to join this ride with Transferz as this company wants to grow the industry from another perspective, focusing on caring about all the players involved,” our new team member shared. “I bring my experience and networking to expand Transferz, especially in the Spanish-speaking markets (mainly Latam and Spain). I’m committed to bringing my passion for the travel industry, client-oriented perspective, and problem-solving experience to help achieve Transferz’s success.”
Can you share a specific project or accomplishment from your previous experience that you believe aligns with our company’s goals and values?
In a previous role, a Travel Partner had decided to discontinue our integration due to various issues. Recognizing the potential of this alliance, I collaborated with various teams (both internally and externally), and we drafted the following steps to make this partnership work. By overcoming obstacles and devising creative solutions, we were able to re-establish the partnership, resulting in steady growth. This experience taught me the importance of setting clear objectives, effective communication, data analysis, empathy, and facilitating optimal solutions.
In your opinion, what sets Transferz apart from other companies in the industry, and how do you plan to leverage those strengths in your role?
Transferz’s key value lies in its commitment to user-centric design and cutting-edge technology, ensuring the best user experience by involving all stakeholders. In my role, I am dedicated to fostering strong collaborations with various stakeholders and leveraging these strengths to facilitate Transferz’s regional expansion.
What are your short-term and long-term goals within the company, and how do you see yourself contributing to Transferz’s continued success and growth?
In the short term, my focus is on expanding Transferz in Latin America, given the market’s vast potential. I believe we can forge strong alliances with multiple travel companies, considering Transferz’s exceptional product and technology. Looking ahead, I envision Transferz continuing to lead in innovation, developing new technologies, introducing cutting-edge features, and exploring various verticals to enhance our travel product offerings.
How many countries have you visited, and what would you say is your preferred vacation destination?
I’ve had the privilege of visiting 21 countries in total, with the following breakdown:
America: 8 countries
Oceania: 2 countries
Asia: 8 countries
Europe: 4 countries
Transferz has now successfully wrapped up its EUR 10+ million Series A funding round, with an extension facilitated by Holiday Extras, following investments from a group of influential business angels earlier this year. Its rapid growth in the industry is a testament to their unwavering commitment to delivering top-quality services. Johan van Vulpen, CEO of Transferz: “We’re proud of our cutting-edge technology, top-notch operations, and strong connections with leading companies in both corporate and leisure travel. This partnership is a testimony of the position we have gained in the market.”
Holiday Extras’ decision to invest in Transferz is a strong vote of confidence in Transferz’s technology and high-quality transfer services. It highlights their reliability, focus on long-term success, and commitment to providing peace of mind to travelers. It also shows that travel companies are recognizing the importance of the ground transportation sector and highly welcome better technology.
Johan van Vulpen: “Both Holiday Extras and Transferz share a common long-term vision: to become the preferred choice for travelers, travel companies, transfer services, and dedicated drivers. This investment is the perfect blend of financial and strategic support. It offers us the best of both worlds – no limitations on growth, a strong commitment to long-term success, a valuable contribution, a deep understanding of the market and the ambition to accelerate and strengthen our position in the industry.”
Simon Hagger, CEO of Holiday Extras: “We initially looked at Transferz as a new provider to broaden our own transfers offering but quickly realised that this excellent team was changing the game. With their ambition, experience and strong tech capability they are improving how the entire market works. Our investment in Transferz shows our commitment to delivering the best possible transfers product.”
The partnership between Transferz and Holiday Extras is propelling Transferz to reshape the ground transportation industry, providing travel companies and their customers with top-notch tech solutions, greater convenience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Contact:
Johan van Vulpen, CEO ([email protected])
Maarten Vrijhof, CFO ([email protected])
The anniversary week was a combination of professional and social activities, creating an atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable and engaged. The goal was to strengthen connections and celebrate our diverse team, and we definitely reached it!
On the first day, we began with team-building and culture sessions guided by a professional trainer, where each department exchanged feedback on last quarter’s performance. Following that, we enthusiastically participated in a company-wide training session, spiced up with some friendly competition (as we always like it).
Our adventure continued throughout the week, with various activities including a city-wide treasure hunt, fun games at a local bar, and speed dating sessions that allowed everyone to connect even more. The highlight of the week was a memorable dinner in the heart of Amsterdam. To add an exciting twist, a professionally coordinated murder mystery game was introduced, which added a thrilling and interactive element to the celebration. As the night fell, we took to the dance floor with drinks and music, celebrating our shared success and the close-knit community we’ve built at Transferz.
The Transferz Anniversary Week was more than just a professional milestone; it was a testament to our commitment to creating a united global family. We look forward to another year of growth, collaboration, and cherished memories.
World Aviation Festival: Where Big Ideas Take Off
The World Aviation Festival is renowned for exploring the latest technologies that are reshaping the aviation industry. This time around, it’s all about making every part of the passenger journey better. The agenda is addressing not just the present but also creating a roadmap for future innovations. The talks and sessions will cover a wide range of topics that matter in aviation, from artificial intelligence to distribution, merchandising, digital transformation, loyalty, retailing, ancillary revenue generation, social media, and new applications. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from trailblazers who are leading the way in these areas of the aviation industry.
The World Aviation Festival is where the latest and greatest aviation tech will be on display. With over 150 tech companies showing their products, it’s the perfect place to try out new offerings, form strategic partnerships, and see what the competition is up to. This is where the deals happen and dreams take off.
Transferz: Making Travel Better
Transferz, the global ground transportation marketplace, is honored to join the World Aviation Festival. Founded in 2020, Transferz has rapidly emerged as a leader in its domain. Operating seamlessly across 150+ countries, we are committed to delivering unparalleled quality, 24/7 multilingual customer service and building the largest global electric fleet. With a direct network of over 1500 transfer companies, Transferz ensures a comprehensive travel experience from start to finish. As a trusted partner in the travel industry, Transferz is proud to bring its array of expertise to this event.
Stay tuned for updates from the festival, and we can’t wait to see you there!
]]>Strengthening Global Connectivity:
At Transferz, we have always strived to deliver the utmost value to our clients through innovative solutions and unwavering commitment. Our partnership with CruiseOnline.com is a testament to our shared vision of excellence in the ground transportation industry.
CruiseOnline.com is an innovative international cruise booking platform that inspires people to cruise, makes it easy to compare all cruise lines, and find the right itinerary and cabin. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and their unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with our own principles. Together, we are set to enhance the way businesses approach ground transportation, providing seamless connectivity across borders, time zones, and diverse business environments.
Empowering Your Business with Unmatched Benefits:
Our clients have come to rely on us for our exceptional services, and this collaboration with CruiseOnline.com will only amplify the advantages we offer. Here are some key benefits that our esteemed clients can look forward to:
- Expanded Global Reach: With the combined network of Transferz and CruiseOnline.com, our coverage now spans an unparalleled global footprint. Whether it’s a bustling metropolis or a remote business hub, we have your ground transportation needs covered.
- Efficiency and Reliability: Through this partnership, we aim to raise the bar on efficiency and reliability. Our teams work in harmony to ensure punctuality, reliability, and transparency at every step of your journey.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Both Transferz and CruiseOnline.com have always been at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies. Together, we will provide an advanced digital platform that empowers you with real-time tracking, streamlined reservations, and robust reporting tools.
- Dedicated Customer Support: Our commitment to customer-centric services remains unwavering. With the combined resources and expertise of our teams, we are better equipped to address your unique requirements promptly and professionally.
Our partnership reinforces our mission to be the go-to ground transportation provider for B2B clients, offering a transformative experience that fosters growth and success.
