The Dream Team: eSIM-plied the Way to Better Travel

Ahmet Bahadır Özdemir

Ahmet Bahadır Özdemir, Airalo’s CEO, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at 19 by founding his first company. Prior to Airalo, he ventured into the maritime industry, establishing Wossco, a global ship supply company. During this period, he noticed that sea captains frequently requested local SIM cards to stay connected while docked in various ports. Recognizing the inconvenience of managing multiple SIM cards, Özdemir launched Sim4crew, a global mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) tailored for seafarers, which successfully connected 50,000 seafarers during their voyages. (Ahmet Bahadır Özdemir)

Abraham Burak

Abraham Burak, Airalo’s COO, brings a diverse background in law and business. A Canadian national, Burak pursued legal studies at Fudan University in China, followed by international law programs at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. He furthered his education with a graduate program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in the U.S. Before fully dedicating himself to Airalo, Burak served as a legal and business consultant, engaging in sectors such as maritime, wealth management, and legal services. (Abraham Burak)

The convergence of Özdemir’s telecommunications expertise and Burak’s legal and business acumen led to the creation of Airalo. Their shared vision was to eliminate the inconvenience and high costs associated with traditional SIM cards and international roaming. By leveraging eSIM technology, they aimed to offer a seamless, digital solution for global travelers. Since its founding, Airalo has expanded its services to over 200 countries and regions, enabling users to download and install digital data packs instantly upon arrival at their destinations. 

A Growing Network: Why the eSIM Market Is On the Rise

The eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identity Module) market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by the increasing adoption of connected devices and advancements in telecommunications technology. In 2023, the global eSIM market was valued at approximately USD 10.71 billion. Projections indicate that it will reach nearly USD 52.43 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% between 2024 and 2032. (Expert Market Research)

This robust growth is attributed to several factors, including the rising penetration of smartphones, the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the demand for seamless connectivity across various sectors. The consumer electronics segment, encompassing smartphones, tablets, and wearables, has been a significant contributor to the eSIM market’s expansion. Additionally, the automotive industry has embraced eSIM technology to enhance vehicle connectivity, enabling features such as real-time diagnostics and over-the-air updates.

Regionally, North America has dominated the eSIM market, accounting for a substantial revenue share due to the presence of major technology companies and early adoption of advanced connectivity solutions. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, propelled by increasing smartphone penetration and supportive regulatory frameworks. (Grand View Research)

Mission Accomplished: How Airalo Is Bridging Global Gaps One eSIM at a Time

Missions & Vision

Airalo’s mission is to make international connectivity more accessible and cost-effective for travelers worldwide. By addressing the challenges of high roaming costs and the inconvenience of physical SIM cards, Airalo has positioned itself as a leader in the eSIM industry, transforming the way people connect globally. (About Airalo)

Problems They Solve

Travelers often face high roaming charges, limited access to local SIM cards, and the inconvenience of swapping physical SIMs. Airalo addresses these challenges by offering eSIMs—digital SIM cards—that users can download and install directly onto their devices. This solution provides immediate access to local networks in over 200 countries and regions, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and reducing costs.

Business Model

Airalo operates as a global eSIM marketplace, partnering with local and regional telecom operators to provide a wide range of eSIM plans. Users can browse and purchase these plans through Airalo’s platform, which generates revenue by reselling eSIM solutions to travelers directly or through partner channels.

A SIM-plified Menu: The Many Options Airalo Offers for Every Traveler

Airalo offers a comprehensive suite of eSIM products and services designed to provide seamless global connectivity for travelers. Airalo’s platform allows users to purchase and install eSIM profiles directly onto their compatible devices. By partnering with over 200 mobile carriers globally, Airalo provides a wide range of data plans tailored to various destinations and user needs. 

The process is straightforward: users download the Airalo app, select their destination, choose a data plan, and install the eSIM on their device. This eliminates the need to swap physical SIM cards or incur expensive roaming charges, offering a seamless and efficient solution for international connectivity.

Local eSIMs

Airalo provides eSIMs tailored for specific countries, allowing users to access local data plans at affordable rates. These eSIMs are available in over 200 countries and regions, enabling travelers to stay connected without incurring high roaming charges. Users can select data packages that suit their needs, with options ranging from daily to monthly plans.

Regional eSIMs

For travelers visiting multiple countries within a specific region, Airalo offers regional eSIMs. These eSIMs cover multiple countries within a region, such as Europe, Asia, or the Americas, providing the convenience of a single data plan across borders. This eliminates the need to purchase separate eSIMs for each country, simplifying connectivity for multi-destination trips. (Regional eSIM)

Global eSIMs

Airalo’s global eSIMs cater to travelers journeying across various regions worldwide. These eSIMs offer data coverage in multiple countries across different continents, making them ideal for extensive travel itineraries. With a global eSIM, users can maintain continuous connectivity without the hassle of managing multiple SIM cards or eSIM profiles. (Global eSIM)

Key Features

• Instant Activation: Users can purchase and install eSIMs directly from the Airalo app or website. The activation process is straightforward, allowing travelers to connect to a local network immediately upon arrival at their destination.
• Affordable Pricing: Airalo’s eSIMs are prepaid, with no hidden fees, offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional roaming services. Data packages are available at various price points to accommodate different budgets and usage requirements.
• Flexible Data Plans: Users can choose from a variety of data plans with different validity periods, ranging from short-term to long-term options, ensuring flexibility to match their travel needs.
• User-Friendly App: The Airalo app, available on iOS and Android, allows users to manage their eSIMs, monitor data usage, and purchase top-ups seamlessly. The app also provides access to customer support and detailed installation guides.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Airalo offers round-the-clock customer service to assist users with any issues or inquiries, ensuring a smooth and reliable experience.

Additional Services

• Top-Up Options: If users exhaust their data allowance, most Airalo eSIMs can be recharged directly through the app, allowing for uninterrupted connectivity without the need to purchase a new eSIM. (Features)
• Referral Program: Airalo’s referral program enables users to share a unique code with friends, earning credits (Airmoney) for each successful referral, which can be applied to future eSIM purchases.
• Loyalty Program: The Airalo Loyalty Program rewards users based on their total eSIM purchases, offering cashback rewards that increase with higher membership levels, enhancing value for frequent travelers.

Airalo’s Call to Fame: Impact That Speak Volumes

Airalo has significantly impacted the global eSIM market by providing travelers with seamless and affordable connectivity across more than 200 countries and regions. Since its inception in 2019, the company has experienced rapid growth, amassing over 10 million users worldwide as of May 2024. This substantial user base underscores Airalo’s position as the world’s largest eSIM marketplace. (Airalo)

The company’s services are accessible in 53 languages, catering to a diverse global audience. The company has invested in projects promoting health, safety, sustainability, and well-being. Notable efforts include providing data services during crises, such as the Help Ukraine Connect Fund in 2022, and supporting communities by building wells to provide access to clean water in regions like Babou, Cameroon. (Airalo)

TAL Aviation Partnership

In February 2024, Airalo announced a strategic partnership with TAL Aviation Group, a prominent player in the travel industry. This alliance enabled TAL Aviation to represent and distribute Airalo’s eSIM products globally, thereby extending Airalo’s reach and providing travelers with easy access to affordable data plans across numerous countries. (Tal Aviation)

ONYX Hospitality Partnership

In June 2024, Airalo collaborated with ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality company in Southeast Asia to integrate Airalo’s eSIM technology into ONYX’s loyalty program, offering members seamless access to global connectivity during their travels. (PATA)

Boxo Partnership

Airalo has also focused on technological collaborations to broaden its service offerings. In October 2024, Airalo partnered with Boxo, a Singapore-based Super App enabler, to develop white-label eSIM solutions. (Boxo)

Building upon this technological partnership, Airalo and Boxo joined forces with KOHO, a Canadian fintech company, to launch a new eSIM feature within KOHO’s money management platform. This feature allowed KOHO’s users to purchase and activate eSIMs directly within the app, offering affordable and convenient global connectivity. This integration exemplified the synergy between telecommunications and financial technology, enhancing the digital travel experience for over 1.7 million KOHO users. (PR Newswire)

Funding the SIM-plest Idea: Airalo’s Financial Journey

Airalo has raised a total of $67.3 million in equity funding across four funding rounds. (Tracxn) 

Seed Rounds (2019):

Airalo initiated its journey with two seed funding rounds. The first, in July 2019, saw participation from Antler, a global startup generator and early-stage investor. Later that year, in October 2019, the company secured additional seed funding led by Surge, an accelerator program by Sequoia Capital India. 

Series A (2021):

By October 2021, Airalo closed its Series A round, marking a significant milestone in its growth. Institutional investors included Rakuten Capital, Singtel Innov8, Wayra, LG Technology Ventures, Plug and Play Tech Center, and I2BF Global Ventures. Corporate investors such as goventures.vdtrxn and Ground Control also participated.

Series B (2023):

In July 2023, Airalo secured its Series B funding from a consortium of notable institutional and corporate investors. Institutional backers included e&, Rakuten Capital, Singtel Innov8, Orange Ventures, T Capital, Peak XV Partners, KPN Ventures, I2BF Global Ventures, and Antler. Corporate participants like Liberty Global, Telefónica, and Orange also joined this round. 

Revenue Metrics

Airalo’s revenue has grown steadily, reflecting its expanding user base and global reach. In FY 2019, the company reported revenue of $188,300. By FY 2020, this figure had increased to $1.52 million, and in FY 2021, Airalo achieved revenue of $6.33 million, showcasing its rapid growth trajectory.

SIM-ply the Best: What Airalo Teaches About Solving Big Problems

Airalo is changing how people stay connected while traveling. The company offers digital SIM cards, called eSIMs, that work in over 200 countries and regions. These eSIMs eliminate the need for physical SIM cards and provide affordable data plans without hidden fees. With Airalo, travelers can activate their eSIMs instantly through a user-friendly app and enjoy seamless connectivity from the moment they land.

The company’s mission is to make global connectivity simple, accessible, and affordable for everyone. Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, or exploring multiple destinations, Airalo’s local, regional, and global eSIM solutions provide the flexibility you need. They partner with top telecom operators worldwide to ensure reliable service and competitive pricing.

If you’re inspired by their journey, why not work on your own ideas? The world always needs fresh solutions and bold thinkers. And if you’re curious about more stories like this, explore the latest insights and startup journeys on Venture Kites.