Adrenaline Hunter is a technology company.
Adrenaline Hunter has raised $1.3M across 2 funding rounds.
Adrenaline Hunter has raised $1.3M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Adrenaline Hunter is a France-based online marketplace that connects adventure seekers with providers of extreme sports and outdoor activities, enabling users to search, compare, and book experiences worldwide.[1][2][6] It serves thrill-seeking consumers—often time-poor with high disposable income—while helping suppliers gain global visibility in a market valued at $31bn to $40bn annually.[1][5] The platform solves the challenge of fragmented booking by aggregating thousands of activities across air, snow, land, water, urban, and extreme categories from over 2,600 partners in 30+ countries, accessible in English, French, German, and Spanish.[3][4][7] Early growth included raising €600,000 in one month, securing 1,100 offers and 420 partners pre-launch, and achieving one booking per day without full Google indexing; it later rebranded to Manawa in November 2020.[1][7]
Founded in February 2013 in Gassin, PACA, France, Adrenaline Hunter emerged from the founders' frustrations booking adventure activities online—endless searches and unanswered provider emails led to the idea for a centralized platform.[1][2][7] The core team included co-founders Maud Mathe (CPO, sales, communications, and later marketing & sales director, with a Master's in Entertainment & Media Management), Lucile Mathe (managing & product director, with finance background from ESSCA and BNP Paribas subsidiary), and Philippe Bichet (CFO, COO, web marketing), supported by advisor Denis Fayolle.[1][2] One founder had co-founded successful startups like LaFourchette (acquired by Tripadvisor). Early traction was strong: 12 full-time staff across content, partnerships, IT, and a "Gurus’ Team" of elite extreme sports icons; by 2016, it had 1,100 offers in 21 countries despite limited visibility.[1]
Adrenaline Hunter rides the explosion in experiential travel and adventure tourism, fueled by millennials and Gen Z prioritizing unique, adrenaline-fueled outings amid a $40bn global market.[5] Its timing capitalized on mobile booking trends and post-2010s startup wave in travel tech, filling a gap between sports and tourism where general platforms like Tripadvisor overlook niche extremes.[1][3] Market forces favoring it include rising demand for outdoor activities during Covid-19 (low-contamination, small-group options) and digital transformation for activity providers seeking worldwide visibility without heavy marketing.[3][4] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering specialized OTAs, enabling suppliers' growth (e.g., via integrations like TicketingHub), and paving the way for rebrands like Manawa, which expands to tame adventures and integrates with booking systems for seamless scaling.[7]
Adrenaline Hunter's pivot to Manawa positions it for sustained growth in a post-pandemic world craving safe, authentic outdoor escapes, with potential to dominate as adventure tourism rebounds and integrates with broader travel ecosystems.[3][7] Trends like AI-driven personalization, AR previews for activities, and sustainability-focused adventures will shape its path, alongside expansions into emerging markets and deeper provider tools. Its influence may evolve from niche pioneer to global leader, empowering more suppliers while capturing share in a market growing with wellness-travel hybrids—watch for partnerships and further rebranding momentum to fuel this trajectory.[4][7]
Adrenaline Hunter has raised $1.3M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Adrenaline Hunter has raised $1.3M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $640K Seed in March 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2017 | $640K Seed | ||
| May 1, 2016 | $670K Seed |