Tech Startup: Disrupting the Telecom Scene with KnowRoaming

Travel is a way of letting lose for a little while, enjoying the moment and exploring new adventures but the worst thing is coming home to find a crazy bill of pricey roaming charges from the times in between when you just wanted to stay connected.

This month in our travel-tech series, we profile KnowRoaming, a new startup that’s helping to disrupt the telecom sector in the travel industry. CEO and Founder Greg Gundelfinger took some time out from his busy schedule in San Francisco to give us a glimpse into his new startup (plus a special offer just for Travel Massive members – keep reading!)

What do you do at KnowRoaming and what is it about?

I help connect travellers with a Global SIM Sticker so they can save on voice and data roaming when they travel. My startup enables travelers to remain connected without worrying about the cost. The solution is completely prepaid so there are no contracts — you only pay for what you use.

What inspired you to create this startup?

I used to carry a bag of SIM cards with me when I traveled. I needed a solution!

I also think traveling with data is so much better than without, like using Google Maps, TripIt, and TripAdvisor which most of the time will improve our holiday or experience. They are some of the essential tools when traveling so why should travelers have limited access to them?

How is your startup disrupting the travel scene?

More KnowRoaming travelers are finding their way to restaurants, joining meetings more easily and responding to emails while abroad. On a micro level, peoples’ lives are made easier. On a macro level, you could say that we’re helping stimulate the world economy.

Travel Massive is about empowering change in travel. How is your startup helping to make travel better?

It’s simple: we’re keeping people connected. Our lives are so digital these days I think so many of our online tools can really help us out with day-to-day navigation and all the logistics of travel.

What challenges did you face in getting your startup off the ground and gaining traction in the industry?

We needed to get networks to join our platform and customers to adopt this new technology.

What do you think is the biggest challenge in the travel industry (online or offline) you would like to see resolved or improved?

I’d like to see travel plans more streamlined. Flights and hotels sometimes can take a long time to book because of the price differences. I wish there was a system that knew your preferences and budget and did everything for you.

As a startup, what benefits have you seen from being a part of Travel Massive meet-ups?

My team at KnowRoaming has really appreciated the Travel Massive Toronto meet-ups. It’s important to stay in touch with what travelers want and at these events we’ve heard good feedback and had a chance to introduce KnowRoaming to new people, including content creators. Travel Massive is a really welcoming, open-hand community and we share a lot of the same values at KnowRoaming.

Do you have any tips for new entrepreneurs who want to create a successful startup?

Focus! The world is big and every element of a business has become extremely complicated. Choose your strength and focus on that!

Okay, we want to learn a bit more about you! So, what was your first travel job?

As an entrepreneur I’ve worked in a whole variety of industries, from real estate to printing. While I’ve always been on the road, KnowRoaming is my first job in the travel industry.

How do you think we can be better travelers?

Talk to more people when you travel. I’ve had the most amazing conversations with people while on local transit or waiting in a line somewhere. We have more in common than we realize.

If you could book a ticket tomorrow, where would you go?

Thailand with the fam — for the beaches and the amazing food.

Finally, why do you travel?

I’m insatiably curious.

Tech Startup is a monthly series that profiles unique online travel-tech start-ups in the Travel Massive community around the world. Connect with Greg and KnowRoaming on Travel Massive to receive a special discount code for a Global SIM Sticker.