Startup Stage: Dazhboards wants to drive efficiency for tour operators

Dazhboards

Dazhboards is an artificial intelligence-powered business intelligence and sustainability platform built specifically for tour operators.

The Australia-based startup aims to save time and drive efficiency for tours and activities providers by connecting directly to booking systems and centralizing and automating processes. 

What is your 30-second pitch to investors? 

Dazhboards is an AI-powered business intelligence and sustainability platform built specifically for tour operators. We connect directly with booking systems to centralize customer management, provide real-time insights and reduce admin time by up to 30%. By combining cutting-edge technology with industry expertise, Dazhboards delivers actionable recommendations, dynamic pricing and operational efficiency, helping operators maximize revenue and elevate customer satisfaction.

Describe both the business and technology aspects of your startup.

From a business perspective, Dazhboards addresses critical pain points for tour operators, such as time-consuming admin tasks, fragmented data and limited insights into operational performance and profitability. By centralizing and automating processes, Dazhboards enhances efficiency and boosts profitability.

On the technology side, Dazhboards leverages AI and API integrations to sync data directly from booking platforms, enabling real-time analytics and insights. The platform’s advanced chatbot agent handles customer service queries related to cancellations, bookings and rescheduling, offering seamless customer experiences. Features like omnichannel communication, AI-driven dynamic pricing and sustainability tracking (coming soon) sets us apart from competitors.

Give us your SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the company.

Strengths: Unique focus on tour operators; AI-powered insights; seamless integration with booking platforms; proven ability to reduce admin time by 30%.

Weaknesses: Limited brand awareness as a new entrant; resource constraints typical of startups.

Opportunities: Growing demand for data-driven decision-making; increasing focus on sustainability in travel; global expansion potential in underserved markets.

Threats: Competitive landscape in travel tech; reliance on third-party booking platforms for integrations.

What are the travel pain points you are trying to alleviate from both the customer and the industry perspective?

• Customer perspective: Simplified booking experiences, faster responses to inquiries and improved transparency on cancellations or changes.
• Industry perspective: Eliminating fragmented data, reducing admin workload, optimizing pricing strategies and offering actionable insights to improve profitability.

So you've got the product, now how will you get lots of customers?

Our sales strategy includes targeted email campaigns, leveraging partnerships with organizations like the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and offering free trials to tour operators.

We are collaborating with booking software providers to expand brand visibility and directly connect with tour operators. We’ll also focus on webinars, case studies and word-of-mouth referrals from beta users. Additionally, our seamless onboarding process ensures minimal manual input, encouraging higher conversion rates.

Tell us what process you've gone through to establish a genuine need for your company and the size of the addressable market. 

We conducted in-depth interviews with over 150 tour operators in Australia, New Zealand and the USA to identify their operational challenges. Market research shows that the global travel management software market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2030. Our focus on mid-sized operators addresses a $2 billion segment of this market and we want to capture 10% of this market.

How and when will you make money?

Dazhboards operates on a subscription-based model, with pricing tiers designed to scale with operator size. Our short-term revenue target is $1.4 million within the first year, with a long-term goal of $25 million in the next 5 years. Additional revenue streams include premium features like advanced analytics and dynamic pricing tools.

What are the backgrounds and previous achievements of the founding team?

Dinesh Kaku (founder and CEO): Over 15+ years of experience in technology, previously launched successful tech startups like Deal A Day and Backpacker Deals. Backpacker Deals was acquired by Travello at the end of 2020.

Hana Robinson: Hana is an owner-operator of K’gari Drop Bear Adventures, a marketing expert with a proven track record in scaling startups. 

Eve Lawrence: With a strong background in tourism and hospitality, Eve has a keen insight into customer relations, business development and sustainability within the travel sector. She has been a strong advocate for responsible tourism, helping businesses integrate sustainable practices without compromising profitability.

Stephen Bruce: An experienced professional in the tourism industry, Stephen has held various roles that have equipped him with a deep understanding of tour operations and management.

How have you addressed diversity and inclusion within your business?

Dazhboards is built by a diverse team with tourism, technology and business backgrounds. We hire based on skill and expertise, not just resumes, ensuring we bring in the best talent from different perspectives.

What's been the most difficult part of founding the business so far?

Building brand trust in a competitive market has been challenging. Convincing tour operators to transition from traditional methods to a tech-driven solution requires persistent education and proof of ROI.

Generally, travel startups face a fairly tough time making an impact - so why are you going to be one of the lucky ones?

Our competitive edge lies in our specialization. By focusing solely on tour operators and solving their unique pain points, we’ve created a solution that resonates deeply with their needs. Additionally, our partnerships with industry bodies and beta testers provide a strong foundation for scaling. A solution built by the industry for the industry.

A year from now, what state do you think your startup will be in? 

Within a year, we aim to onboard 500 tour operators, achieve $1.4 million in revenue and establish strategic partnerships with major tourism partners. Our goal is to become the go-to platform for small to mid-sized operators.

What is your end-game?

Our vision is to grow into the leading AI-powered platform for tour operators worldwide. While acquisition or public listing are potential options, our primary focus is sustainable growth and long-term value creation for our customers and stakeholders.