March 11, 2025: goSTOPS, a leading brand in the backpackers and youth hostel industry, has secured Rs 35 crore ($4.2 million) in its Series A funding round, aimed at accelerating the brand’s rapid expansion across India. The funding, led by Blume Ventures with ongoing support from co-lead investor 1Crowd, will enable the company to scale its operations and enhance the experience it offers to young travellers.
This infusion of capital will allow goSTOPS to expand its bed capacity from 2,500 to 10,000 beds and increase its presence to 100 locations over the next 24 months.
The company plans to use this new investment to strengthen its operational capabilities, upgrade its technology infrastructure, and continue refining the social and experiential aspects of its properties. By creating immersive travel experiences for digital-native youth, the youth hostel services provider aims to further solidify its position as a leading brand in the youth travel space.
The fresh capital will be channeled into strengthening operations, enhancing technology, and amplifying the social and experiential aspects of the firm’s offerings. The brand is already integrating cutting-edge tech to improve guest experiences, with features like app-based check-ins, digital door locks, smart lockers, and real-time service requests. The company is also exploring debt partnerships to further fuel its expansion.
Pallavi Agarwal, the Founder and CEO of goSTOPS, shared her excitement about the funding, stating, “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.”
Investor Confidence in goSTOPS’ Growth Trajectory
Founded in 2014 by Pallavi Agarwal and Pankaj Parwanda, goSTOPS has rapidly grown into a leading brand in the youth travel space. The company is known for its tech-first approach, which integrates digital features to enhance the travel experience. Through its proprietary goSTOPS app for guests and the goCREW app for staff, the brand ensures seamless service delivery while enabling guests to enjoy more control over their stay.
Pankaj Parwanda, Co-founder of the youth hostel services firm, emphasized the role of technology in the brand’s success, stating, “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.”
Blume Ventures’ Ashish Fafadia commented on goSTOPS’ potential, saying, “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.”
1Crowd’s Co-founder Anil Gudibande, who has backed the company in multiple rounds, also expressed his confidence, stating, “Their team isn’t just about asset utilization; 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.”
With this new capital injection and strategic expansion plans, the backpackers and youth hostel services firm is poised to transform the landscape of youth travel in India, making it more accessible, immersive, and tech-driven for the next generation of travellers.
