In a world where endless travel options overwhelm decision-making, FigFinder AI is redefining the way journeys are discovered and planned. More than just a booking tool, FigFinder AI is geared to become the Perplexity of Travel, an AI-powered system designed to decode traveler intent and curate hyper-personalized experiences with precision and ease.
For travelers, FigFinder AI anticipates preferences, learning from behaviors, budgets, and unique travel styles to present bespoke recommendations—without the noise of generic search results. Whether seeking hidden cultural gems, seamless group coordination, or last-minute getaways, the platform eliminates guesswork and brings tailored, high-intent choices directly to users.
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For travel agents, FigFinder AI isn’t just a lead generator, it’s a smart matchmaking engine that connects them with qualified, conversion-ready customers, shifting the focus from cold inquiries to curated, meaningful engagements.
Built to evolve with user behavior and market shifts, FigFinder AI is positioning itself at the frontier of AI-driven travel intelligence, ensuring that planning isn’t just easier—but intuitive, predictive, and deeply personalized. FigFinder went through a rigorous assessment and was part of an incubator program in London in 2024 that aims to help companies bring innovation.
The next era of travel starts here.
In an exclusive interview with The American Bazaar, Sharma, founder of FigFinder AI shares her journey filled with challenges and inspiration that offer valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and travel AI.
Can you tell us about the origin story of FigFinder AI and what inspired you to venture into travel-tech?
You could say that my family’s hospitality background played a role, as my aunt has worked in the hotel industry for nearly two decades. But it wasn’t just because of her influence; my own passion for travel played a major role. I have traveled to 37 countries in the last 2 years or so. Traveling so much, I saw many challenges people face, and I wanted to do something in travel-tech using AI.
My background has been in Fintech, RetailTech and EnergyTech, so travel-tech is still a new domain for me. But I’m working to get FigFinder out there and launch it soon. The website is currently under development, and what you see now is just a landing page. It’s very close to launch – about a few weeks away.
What challenges have you faced in launching the platform?
One challenge has been working with overseas developers in different time zones. They have their own schedules, and it sometimes causes delays. I keep telling them, ‘Finish this off, finish it off,’ but it takes time.
Another challenge is ensuring the user journey is seamless. Right now, we’re tweaking how users interact with the platform. FigFinder captures user preferences and uses AI to generate tailored itinerary options. A traveler selects one, downloads it, and then a vetted travel agent will contact them. The goal is to expand to more travel agents, so users are matched with the best one based on their travel preferences.
Were there any challenges you faced during your time traveling that inspired you to start FigFinder?
Yeah, absolutely. I think the whole planning process and booking experience were really disjointed. For instance, you go to Booking.com, and there are so many filters, but they don’t always make sense, and you don’t end up using all of them. They have so many features, and while that’s fine, it can be overwhelming.
I feel like the best user experience would come from having minimal, relevant features that work for travelers in the moment. Obviously, different users have different preferences, but the product should really work for the people — for the travelers. FigFinder is here to carve out its own niche in the travel tech space.
My goal is to disrupt the traditional travel planning process and create a smarter, more seamless way to travel, using emerging technologies. The idea is to provide a more rapid and efficient travel experience, rather than relying on the user’s own thought processes or going through travel agents who might not be the best match. It’s been a challenge, and I’ve seen it firsthand as a solo traveler. From planning to booking, everything is scattered across different platforms. The vision for FigFinder is to streamline that process and make it as seamless as possible for travelers.
Can you explain more about how FigFinder AI works?
As the platform evolves, our focus remains on refining AI-driven travel matching and enhancing user collaboration. Future enhancements will further optimize the experience, ensuring seamless, intuitive planning while expanding the role of AI in simplifying the journey from inspiration to execution.
How big is your team right now?
I am currently the solo founder working with freelance designers and developers. Right now, there’s no in-house team, and I’m not keen on hiring full-time until later.
At some point, I will be looking for a co-founder or CTO, but for now, I am comfortable leading the company solo. My focus is on securing the right traction and partnerships with travel agents before expanding the team.
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You mentioned the ‘perplexity of travel.’ Could you elaborate on that concept?
Yes, so eventually, FigFinder AI will operate somewhat like Perplexity AI but focused entirely on travel. It will be a more interactive platform where users, including family and friends, can collaborate on trips. Unlike generic AI models like ChatGPT, FigFinder AI will be tailor-made for travel planning.
For example, travelers can invite their group, vote on itinerary options, and AI will generate a final plan incorporating everyone’s preferences. It makes travel planning more collaborative and efficient. You are letting AI sort of guide you through the whole travel planning. So that is your perplexity of travel.
When was the company officially registered?
Although it was officially registered with the Companies House in London on October 2, 2023, I only joined the AI Incubator in London in January the following year. Things really started to take off for me in November 2024, when the ideation process fully began.
What was the idea behind the name FigFinder?
Well, it has nothing to do with figs. In fact, I actually dislike figs! I just wanted something catchy. I played around with different names for the company, like Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Orange, Banana, and Apple. I mean, Apple is already taken, of course! So, I came up with all these funny, cool names but nothing felt right. Then I thought, “Okay, let’s go with Fig and Finder,” because “Finder” implies helping people find something, and it just clicked. It was tough because it felt like naming a baby. It had to be something special.
Initially, I was going to call it FlexiBook, but then I thought, let’s stick with something starting with “F”—and that’s when FigFinder came to mind.
You have a very diverse background—from growing up in India to moving to New Zealand and then the UK. How has your journey influenced your work?
I was born in Mumbai, but my father was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, so we moved around a lot. I changed schools about eight to ten times growing up, living in different army cantonments and air force bases. Travel was a part of my life from the start.
After high school, I moved to New Zealand as an international student and lived there for about 12-13 years before relocating to the UK. I was drawn to the UK because of its strong startup ecosystem and access to resources. After moving to the UK in 2022, I was elected as a local councilor. It’s surprising how quickly that happened since many people try for years before getting elected.
Eventually, I’d love to expand into the US market and explore Silicon Valley opportunities as well.
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And the last question I have for you is what are your goals for FigFinder? Where do you see FigFinder AI in five years?
I see FigFinder as a dynamic travel app tailored for Gen Z travelers, backpackers, and frequent flyers who want a seamless AI-powered experience. The goal is to build a strong user base and eventually become a leader in AI-driven travel planning.
It would be amazing for FigFinder to reach unicorn status, but for now, I’m taking baby steps. I have many responsibilities, including my role as a local councilor in the UK, but my main focus is on FigFinder. The key is to grow it methodically, secure the right partnerships, and ensure it delivers real value to travelers.