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Image credits: Campspace

Campspace, a Haarlem-based booking platform for local, sustainable stays amid nature, announced that it has secured €3M in a funding round led by VNV Global. Angel investors such as former Booking.com board member David Vismans and executive Andrea Carini also participated in the funding round.

Besides the funding, the company also announced the acquisition of its German competitor Pop-Up Camps. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

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Jobst von Paepcke, Founder of Pop-Up Camps, says, “We can only tackle the climate crisis if we leave old ideas behind and are open to innovation when it comes to reducing the carbon emissions associated with tourism. Since the inception of Pop-Up Camps, the focus has been on local, sustainable tourism and I am delighted that we have found like-minded people within the Campspace team who share our mission.” 

The Dutch startup will use the investment and acquisition to expand its offering throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. 

How was Campspace born?

Peter Alexander Bosmans founded Campspace after a road trip with his girlfriend Robine in 2016. 

Frustrated with campsites and motorhomes that were increasingly too full to provide a good experience, he rang the doorbell of two locals (Jack & Beth) and asked to stay on their property. 

The next morning they were not only surprised by the sunrise, but Beth brought breakfast on (air)bed and shared some recommendations on what to do in the surroundings. 

At that point, the idea for the Campspace community was born. Alexander returned to the Netherlands and founded Campspace with friends Hugo van Donselaar, Merijn Straathof and Jeroen Wielaards to recreate that experience on a broader scale.

Campspace: What you need to know

Campspace is a booking platform specialising in unique outdoor stays either with a tent, in a campervan, or a cosy treehouse, yurt or cabin. The company claims to have grown at a rate of 300 per cent per year.

Campspace says that the global demand has yet to slow down, with Slovenia recording the highest increase in outdoor stays (76 per cent), followed by Austria (32 per cent) and Belgium (25 per cent). 

Regions like the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, where camping was already a popular pastime, are also showing an increase in outdoor stays, claims the company. 

Hugo van Donselaar, CEO and Co-Founder of Campspace, says, “Currently, the travel industry accounts for about 10% of global CO2 emissions. Due to continued population and prosperity growth, the number of tourists and the negative impact on our environment is only set to increase. By opening up hidden outdoor stays closer to home, we make tourism more sustainable and meet the needs of the next generation of travellers.” 

He adds, “We live in the most well-connected time in human history but on a person-to-person level we remain incredibly unconnected. Our platform provides people with unique experiences and memories, but not at the cost of the planet and local communities. We’re delighted that our friends at VNV Global are supporting us on this journey.”

Investors

VNV Global invests in high-growth technology companies that have the potential to become global leaders, focussing on firms with strong network effects, high barriers to entry and potential for long-term returns. 

Actively investing in emerging and developed markets, from Europe to the Middle East and North Africa, VNV has particular strengths in mobility, marketplaces and digital health.

Daan Sanders, Tech Investor of VNV Global, says, “The pandemic has greatly strengthened everyone’s connection to the great outdoors, particularly those areas on their own doorstep. But too often people are limited in their choices when it comes to local overnight stays. That’s where Campspace is making a real difference by unlocking previously inaccessible areas and connecting people. Their network of hosts, guests and scouts provide the opportunity to take many large steps in the area of sustainable travel and create a positive impact in communities right across Europe. We are excited to see where Hugo and the team go next.”