Youth Hostel Brand goSTOPS Secures Rs 35 Cr in Series A Funding Led by Blume Ventures to Scale Across 100 Locations

• Funding to fuel 4X expansion, tech upgrades & enhanced experiences for young travellers
• The funding round also saw participation from 1Crowd along with other existing investors

goSTOPS, India’s leading youth travel hostel brand, has raised INR 35 Crore ($4.2 million) in its Series A funding led by Blume Ventures with continued support from co-lead investor 1Crowd. Other existing investors, including Mumbai Angels, Chennai Angels, Indian Angel Network, Lead Angels, and Yuj Ventures, also participated in the round, reaffirming their confidence in goSTOPS' vision and its strong growth trajectory.

With this fresh infusion of equity capital, goSTOPS is set to expand its capacity from 2,500 to 10,000 beds across 100 locations in the next 24 months, achieving 4X growth. The funding will be used to strengthen operations, enhance technology, and elevate the social and experiential aspects of its existing properties, reinforcing goSTOPS as the preferred travel and lifestyle brand for India’s youth. In addition, the company is also finalising debt partnerships to expand its war chest for the brand’s expansion.

Founded by Pallavi Agarwal and Pankaj Parwanda, goSTOPS has redefined travel for India’s youth. Over the past few years, the company has demonstrated remarkable resilience, scaling rapidly despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, as travel surges and young travellers increasingly choose hostels over hotels, goSTOPS is leading this shift with its vibrant, community-driven spaces.

Pallavi Agarwal, Founder & CEO at goSTOPS

Pankaj Parwanda, Co-Founder, goSTOPS

Commenting on the fundraise, Pallavi Agarwal, Founder & CEO at goSTOPS, said, "At goSTOPS, we are redefining how young travellers experience India—offering vibrant, social, and design-led spaces for the new generation. This investment reflects the trust our investors have in our vision and the category we are building. With their continued support, we are set to scale goSTOPS into India’s most preferred youth travel brand—by expanding our footprint while staying true to our promise of making the transformative power of travel accessible to young Indians.

Talking about the investment, Ashish Fafadia, Partner at Blume Ventures said, “goSTOPS has built a category-defining brand by combining deep operational expertise, smart asset management, and tech-driven efficiencies. Their ability to optimise unit economics while scaling rapidly is a testament to the team’s tenacity and strategic vision. We are excited to back their journey as they continue to expand and transform the youth travel experience in India.”

Anil Gudibande, co-founder of 1Crowd, who has co-lead the funding, said, “As an early backer of goSTOPS, we always believed that the brand was more than just a hostel chain — it’s a youth brand with the potential to shape travel and lifestyle choices. The founders’ ingenuity, and deep understanding of their audience have been key to their success. Their team isn’t just about asset utilisation; it’s about creating experiences that resonate with young travellers. This belief has been central to us leading the company's multiple rounds of equity financing, and we are now excited to see the next phase of their growth.”

According to market research, 70% of young travellers now prefer hostels over traditional hotels, underscoring the growing demand for the category. goSTOPS is leading this shift with its company-managed hostels, ensuring full control over service quality and customer experience. Designed for digital-native travellers, the brand creates dynamic spaces where guests can connect, grow, and explore new destinations together.

About goSTOPS:

goSTOPS is a leading youth travel hostel brand, redefining travel for youth with its vibrant, design-led social spaces.

Founded in 2014 by Pallavi Agarwal and Pankaj Parwanda, goSTOPS has rapidly expanded to 30+ locations, offering 2500+ beds designed for the new-age traveller.

More than just a place to stay, goSTOPS is a community-led, tech-first brand that creates immersive experiences for digital-native young travellers.

With bold aesthetics, dynamic social spaces, and seamless technology, it’s where exploration meets connection.

With the ethos of “goMORE. beMORE.”, goSTOPS empowers young adventurers to explore freely, connect deeply, and experience travel as a way of life