Kolet is a new French startup founded by four co-founders who are experienced in the French tech ecosystem and wants to make it easy to stay connected while traveling. The company has developed an interesting distribution strategy for travel eSIM cards to simplify the experience, as eSIM is still a confusing technology for most people.
Chances are that the smartphone in your pocket supports virtual eSIM cards. For example, in recent years it has been the default option on iPhones sold in the United States. Therefore, many companies are taking advantage of that feature and selling temporary eSIM cards with overseas subscription plans to save on roaming charges.
A few years ago, you had to go to a phone store and buy a physical SIM card when you arrived. Thanks to eSIM, the experience is much better. The eSIM industry is a bit of a mess, at least on paper.
For example, if you're traveling to Argentina, you might look for the best travel eSIM options before heading to the airport. There are comparison websites such as eSIMDB that can help you compare plans. However, with so many options, choosing an eSIM provider based on a table like this one from eSIMDB can be a little difficult.
Once you've chosen a provider, you'll typically need to download an app, create an account, pay for your itinerary, and add an eSIM to your phone. As an eSIM provider, you can appear as the cheapest option on comparison websites or differentiate yourself from this crowded market with different sales strategies and user experiences.
That's exactly what Kolet partners with other companies in the travel industry to enable them to promote Kolet on their services. When you book a hotel room or flight, you usually receive a confirmation email. In that email, the partner tells him that he can get a Kolet eSIM with a free trial of a 1 GB data plan for his first two days of the trip.
“We believe this industry will be key in democratizing eSIM, because the first thing we do when we travel is book a flight or hotel, or Airbnb.” Kolet Eduardo Ronzano, co-founder and CEO of , told me.
Eduardo Ronzano previously founded KelDoc, an online calendar and booking solution for hospitals. He then became a key figure in the Parisian angel investment scene, taking part in dozens of pre-seed or seed investments, as his LinkedIn profile shows.
After installing Kolet's eSIM, you can top up your plan with the app. In Europe, plans start at €3.99 per GB with a 30-day validity period. The startup has several revenue-sharing agreements with partners. Kolet's first travel partners are specialist travel company Resaneo and flight booking platform Ulysse.
“What is also special is that we are creating our own eSIM, which will allow us to have a single eSIM for every country in the world. So every time we go to a new country There is no need to reinstall a new eSIM,” says Lonzano.
Image credit: Colette
Ronzano will be joined by Anne-Carole Cöen, Kolet's Chief Marketing Officer. She held the same role at French unicorn Swile, food delivery company Frichti and ride-hailing service Freenow (previously she was known as Chauffeur-Privé and Kapten).
Jérémy Gotteland, Kolet's chief technology officer, was a co-founder of Cajoo, a short-lived quick delivery service that was acquired by German rival Flink. Finally, the company's chief operating officer, Mehdi Chraibi, previously worked at Millicom and Orange.
The company has already raised $5.5 million (€5 million) from VC funds Daphni and 9900 Capital. It also asked some travel industry experts to become advisors to the startup.
The market opportunity is clear for Colette. The company is not only competing with other eSIM providers, as many people don't even know they can get an eSIM when they travel. By partnering with travel companies, these partners can spread the word about Kolet and expand the startup's user base.
Image credit: Colette