Navan: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50

Founder: Ariel Cohen (CEO), Ilan Twig
Started: 2015
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California
Financing:
$1.5 billion
Evaluation: $9.2 billion
Key technologies:
Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learning
Industry:
Travel, business technology
Previous appearances on the Disruptor 50 list: 0

Planning business trips is usually a headache. Flights, rental cars and hotels may be booked via various platforms. Payment may be made via company cards or include reimbursement to employees. Navan, formerly called TripActions, is changing the way in which firms manage travel with an all-in-one platform. The platform can plan the trip and supply employees with bank cards. Having all the things travel-related on one platform helps with expense management; Companies gain higher visibility, cost savings and control over their spending.

Since its founding in 2015 by two experienced entrepreneurs, Navan has grown right into a travel and expense management provider for firms reminiscent of Heineken, Unilever, Adobe, Netflix, Chime and Canva. Last 12 months the corporate doubled its unique users, modified its name to Navan and acquired India-based Tripeur, the fifth acquisition in two years. In addition, offices were opened in Tel Aviv, London, Austin, Bangalore, Sydney, Paris, Amsterdam, San Francisco and New York.

Like many firms, it has also integrated generative AI. Navan launched Ava, an AI-powered chatbot, in May. The assistant can answer customer support questions, book travel, change flights, analyze spending data and help businesses find savings opportunities. In June, the corporate expanded Navan Connect, its expense management and company card solution, allowing finance teams to make use of Navan without having to change corporate cards.

The closely watched company, that’s The company is reportedly seeking to go public launched in April next 12 months and has expanded its leadership team in recent months. The company named Rich Liu, its former chief revenue officer, as CEO of Navan Travel In April and on the time of his reinstatement, the corporate described Liu as “an expert in scaling companies from inception to IPO and beyond.”

Navan has not escaped the economic uncertainty that threatens businesses and company spending. The company laid off 5% of its workforce in December, a complete of 145 people. The company can be facing increased competition as expense management startups and fellow disruptors Ramp and Brex expand into travel. The company's most up-to-date funding round took place in October 2022, when it raised $150 million in debt and $154 million in equity, giving the corporate a valuation of $9.2 billion.

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