goSTOPS Raises ₹35 Crore in Series A Round Led by Blume Ventures to Expand Youth Travel Brand

• ByStartupStory     |    March 12, 2025

Backpacker hostel brand goSTOPS has successfully raised ₹35 crore ($4.2 million) in its Series A funding round led by Blume Ventures, with continued support from co-lead investor 1Crowd. The round also saw participation from existing investors, including Mumbai Angels, Chennai Angels, Indian Angel Network, Lead Angels, and Yuj Ventures.

goSTOPS had previously raised approximately $3 million through multiple angel investment rounds between 2019 and 2024. With this latest infusion of funds, the company is now set to expand its capacity from 2,500 to 10,000 beds across 100 locations over the next 24 months, achieving 4X growth. The startup will use the funding to strengthen operations, enhance technology, and elevate the social and experiential aspects of its properties. Additionally, goSTOPS is finalizing debt partnerships to further support its expansion.

Pallavi Agarwal, Founder and CEO at goSTOPS, expressed her excitement about the funding:

“This investment reflects the trust our investors have in our vision and the category we are building. With their continued support, we are set to scale goSTOPS into India’s most preferred youth travel brand—by expanding our footprint while staying true to our promise of making the transformative power of travel accessible to young Indians.”

Founded in 2014 by Pallavi Agarwal and Pankaj Parwanda, goSTOPS is a community-driven, tech-first brand designed to offer immersive experiences for digital-native young travelers. The brand has rapidly grown, with 30+ locations and over 2,500 beds designed for the new-age traveler.

A key differentiator for goSTOPS is its proprietary tech ecosystem, which includes the goSTOPS app for guests and the goCREW app for staff. It integrates app-based check-ins, digital door locks, smart lockers, power controls, Wi-Fi authentication, and real-time service requests, ensuring seamless operations and guest satisfaction.

Pankaj Parwanda, Co-founder of goSTOPS, highlighted the role of technology in their operations:

“By integrating tech deeply into our operations, we’ve made service delivery foolproof, enabling any team member to operate with precision while ensuring guests have complete control over their stay. Whether it’s resolving service requests within 15 minutes, facilitating social interactions, or enhancing security, every element is optimized for the digitally native traveller.”

The funding round was led by Blume Ventures, which recognizes goSTOPS as a category-defining brand in the youth travel space.

Ashish Fafadia, Partner at Blume Ventures, shared his perspective on the investment:

“goSTOPS has built a category-defining brand by combining deep operational expertise, smart asset management, and tech-driven efficiencies. Their ability to optimise unit economics while scaling rapidly is a testament to the team’s tenacity and strategic vision. We are excited to back their journey as they continue to expand and transform the youth travel experience in India.”

Similarly, Anil Gudibande, Co-founder of 1Crowd, emphasized the company’s ability to create meaningful travel experiences:

“Their team isn’t just about asset utilisation; it’s about creating experiences that resonate with young travellers. This belief has been central to us leading the company’s multiple rounds of equity financing, and we are now excited to see the next phase of their growth.”

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