In a striking move that is sending ripples through India’s travel tech ecosystem, StampMyVisa buys Teleport, a trailblazing travel startup backed by celebrated entrepreneurs Kunal Shah (CRED), Vidit Aatrey (Meesho), and Phanindra Sama (RedBus). This isn’t just another acquisition—it’s a fusion of Teleport’s youthful, digital-first vision with StampMyVisa’s seasoned B2B visa infrastructure, a combination that promises to redefine how Indians access visas across South Asia and beyond.
SMV, founded in 2023, has grown at a pace few startups achieve. Processing visas for over 60 countries with a staggering 99.5% success rate, it has served over 50,000 travelers in just six months and scaled revenues fourfold within eight months. Now, with a planned $3 million funding round, SMV is setting the stage for explosive growth.
Teleport, the 2022-born startup, has carved a niche among young, independent Indian travelers who crave simplicity and speed. Its integration with SMV’s Konveyor API platform promises to embed visa services seamlessly into travel portals, fintech apps, and online travel agencies (OTAs). The deal is more than business—it signals a paradigm shift in India’s visa services, leaning heavily on tech-driven, customer-first solutions.
For founders, investors, and travel tech enthusiasts, this acquisition represents both a lesson in strategic scaling and a glimpse into the future of AI-enhanced, B2B consumer hybrids.
1. Background of StampMyVisa
1.1 Founding and Vision
StampMyVisa emerged in 2023, founded by Rahul Borude, Pravin Wadekar, and Amey Anekar. They identified a glaring gap: visa processing was fragmented, slow, and stressful for travel agencies and corporates. Rahul Borude, a former CRED team member, brings fintech precision, while Pravin Wadekar’s 15+ years at MakeMyTrip in visa operations give SMV unmatched operational backbone.
Their mantra is simple: reliability, speed, and digital-first service. Whether serving travel agencies, corporate clients, or MICE organizers, SMV has built a system that ensures smooth, error-free visa processing.
1.2 Business Model and Services
Operating on a B2B framework, SMV’s offerings include:
- Visa processing for over 60 countries
- SMV Protect Insurance that refunds visa fees upon rejection
- Travel eSIMs ensuring connectivity during international travel
- Konveyor API, allowing third-party platforms to integrate visa services seamlessly
This structure ensures that high-volume clients, especially OTAs and corporate travel managers, save time, reduce errors, and gain operational efficiency.
1.3 Funding and Growth
Back in 2024, SMV pulled off a notable feat by raising ₹6.6 crore (~$782,000) in a pre-Series A round spearheaded by Unicorn India Ventures. This cash infusion didn’t just pad the balance sheet it ignited the company’s push into AI-driven automation and tighter system integration. Now, with plans to raise another $3 million, SMV isn’t merely chasing expansion; it’s staking a claim as a major force in the visa tech space. Investor faith in their model is clear, and it reflects more than just numbers it underscores confidence in the team’s vision and the platform’s real-world scalability.
1.4 Technological Innovations
Konveyor, SMV’s API platform, is a game-changer. By letting travel platforms, fintech apps, and OTAs embed visa capabilities directly, Konveyor reduces operational friction, improves user experience, and positions SMV as a tech pioneer and operational powerhouse.
2. Background of Teleport
2.1 Founding and Mission
Teleport, launched by Nikita Dresswala in 2022, quickly carved a niche as a digital-first travel startup. It wasn’t just another platform—it spoke directly to young Indian adventurers craving speed, simplicity, and control. The idea was bold: tear down barriers to international travel and hand the reins back to the traveler. Transparency wasn’t a tagline; it was a promise. Every feature, every click, every interface aimed to empower explorers to plan, book, and execute their trips with minimal friction, leveraging technology as the ultimate travel companion.
2.2 Funding and Support
Early investors saw the potential. Teleport raised $500,000 in pre-seed funding from Kunal Shah, Vidit Aatrey, Kishore Ganji, Appreciate Capital, Superb Capital, 888vc, and FAAD Network. A $100,000 grant from PeakXV (Sequoia) Spark in 2023 accelerated the startup’s tech and growth strategies.
2.3 Services and User Base
Teleport handles the entire visa journey—every form, every submission, all the way to approval—without skipping a beat. It has won over millennials and Gen Z travelers, who keep coming back not just for convenience but because they genuinely trust the platform. There’s an unmistakable sense of innovation and ease in its approach, making Teleport feel like a savvy friend guiding independent explorers through the often frustrating maze of international travel.
3. Strategic Rationale Behind the Acquisition
3.1 Complementary Strengths
This merger is more than a handshake. SMV’s operational depth meets Teleport’s consumer-friendly innovation. SMV gains a tech-savvy, young user base, while Teleport inherits robust B2B systems and visa expertise. The result: a comprehensive, scalable, and seamless visa ecosystem.
3.2 Expansion into South India
Teleport’s dominance in South India provides SMV with a regional growth runway, tapping IT hubs, universities, and outbound travelers. The acquisition accelerates market penetration in a region with rising travel demand.
3.3 Technological Integration
Merging Teleport’s digital-first interface with Konveyor’s API stack ensures frictionless visa experiences across multiple platforms. Customers will notice faster processing, smoother integrations, and higher satisfaction, positioning SMV as India’s most seamless visa provider.
4. Industry Context and Market Trends
4.1 Growth of the Visa Services Market
The global e-Visa sector isn’t just growing—it’s erupting. Estimates suggest it will leap from $1,030.5 million in 2024 to a staggering $2,395.2 million by 2032. What’s driving this? A mix of relentless digital transformation, smart AI adoption, and a strong bounce-back in international travel. Companies like SMV and Teleport aren’t sitting on the sidelines. They are aggressively experimenting with automation, weaving API integrations into their platforms, and obsessing over user experience. It’s a race, really—a race to redefine how Indians access the world, one visa at a time.
4.2 Competitive Landscape
Competitors include BLS International, Visa2Fly, and other regional visa providers. SMV differentiates itself through AI-driven workflows, Konveyor API, and high-volume B2B partnerships, while Teleport enhances consumer engagement and brand loyalty.
5. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
The SMV-Teleport deal teaches valuable lessons:
- Identify Market Gaps – Focus on problems ignored by incumbents.
- Leverage Partnerships – Strategic acquisitions can accelerate growth.
- Invest in Technology – API and automation capabilities create scale.
- Think Scalability First – High-volume efficiency matters.
- Blend B2B & B2C – Combining operational robustness with consumer appeal builds lasting competitive advantage.
About Foundlanes
Foundlanes curates insights, trends, and stories from India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. The SMV-Teleport acquisition showcases how travel tech startups are harnessing funding, partnerships, and technology to transform traditional processes and achieve rapid scale.