Squadtrip, an automated payment solution for group trips large and small, has announced the launch of its new online platform.

Travel organizers can create booking pages, accept payments efficiently, and manage communications and finances all in one place. According to a press release, Squadtrip is the first travel platform targeting Millennials with flexible payment installments, Apple Pay checkout and promo codes.

The new software as a service (or SaaS) platform is a time-saving tool that eliminates the need to track payments using spreadsheets or send multiple text/email messages. Travel professionals can create customized travel pages and travel packages and set up payment plans and automated billing. Additional features include managing reservation details, DocumentSign integration for signing discount and chargeback agreements, and daily payments with Stripe. Squadtrip users can create an account for free with no monthly payments and four percent fee on each transaction.

“The idea for SquadTrip evolved while helping a close friend create an easy way to collect money for her birthday trip,” says Darion WatsonCo-founder of Squadtrip.

“With our software system, they turned an annual group trip into a million-dollar travel business.”

The black-owned tech company was founded by college best friend, Darion Watson, and Steven Judd, Partner Canarsee is a New Yorker, a native of Brooklyn, and a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. Darian and Steven began their entrepreneurial journey when they developed an event ticketing platform for Black entrepreneurs and won eBay’s Startup Cup Challenge in 2017.

“Hundreds of travel organizers use our platform to manage three or more trips per year,” says Steven Judd, co-founder of Squadtrip.

“Most of our customers agree that our automated features make it easy to track and collect payments while expanding their business.”

Squadtrip was selected for the inaugural Build in Tulsa TechStars Accelerator, a program designed for startups led by various founders that focus on innovative solutions. With the additional funding, the software startup will expand its offering to include marketing tools and educational resources for travel entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the company has operated over 10,000 trips.