Taiwan-based reservation platform FUNNOW Group has secured $10 million USD (approximately 318 million NTD) in strategic investment from major automotive giant Hotai Motor. Through this round, Hotai Motor has acquired roughly a 10% stake in FUNNOW. The newly raised capital will be allocated toward expanding into overseas markets, strengthening AI technologies, and accelerating preparations for an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
FUNNOW is a software startup providing instant booking services for restaurants, bars, accommodations, and leisure activities across seven countries, primarily in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Operating platforms such as Eatigo and Niceday under its umbrella, the company has continued to grow in Asia's leisure-tech market, having previously received investment from KKday.
A major pillar of this partnership is the integration with Hotai Motor's travel planning platform, "chicTrip." By incorporating FUNNOW's booking capabilities into chicTrip, users will be able to seamlessly manage everything from itinerary planning to on-site reservations. Targeting the Japanese market—which is exceptionally popular among Taiwanese travelers—as the initial collaboration focus, the companies aim to deliver a highly convenient cross-border travel experience. Furthermore, FUNNOW plans to shift from a traditional B2C model to a "B2AI2C" model powered by AI platform touchpoints, aiming for further business expansion.