Web 2 Ireland

Ray Nolan – founder, Hostelworld acquired by Hellmann & Friedman

Web Reservations International (WRI), owner of the Hostelworld.com and boo.com has today announced its acquisition by affiliates of private equity investment firm, Hellman and Friedman LLC.

Last month, we reported a €275m price tag for WRI.

Congratulations to the team, and to founders Ray Nolan & Tom Kennedy, as well as early Angel investors Paddy Holohan and Paul McGuinness

The Sunday Times reported that Web Reservations International (WRI), owner of the Hostelworld.com and boo.com, were planning to sell for £275m after hiring investment bank Morgan Stanley to manage the process.

Potentially nice pay day for Ray Nolan, Tom Kennedy, Paddy Holohan and Paul McGuinness

Two Irish companies announced deal with Global impact.

Hostelworld.com, the leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market recently announced the launch of its Travel Store which includes the TravelnRoam mobile SIM powered by MAXRoam.

Now when travellers make bookings in over 20,000 hostels and budget hotels in 170 countries worldwide, they have the opportunity to further save on their travelling bills with a TravelnRoam mobile SIM.

Pat Phelan, Cubic Telecom CEO, makers of MAXRoam said: “We’re absolutely delighted to partner and align ourselves with HostelWorld.com, a massive online success and a brand that’s respected worldwide.

Everyone from business people to backpackers travel the world and TravelnRoam can be there on their phone saving them considerable amounts on their incoming and outgoing calls. If it’s making a business call or in a hostel in China taking a call from Mum back home, we’re there watching that bill for you.”

Santina Doherty, VP of Commercial Development at Hostelworld.com said We're excited to launch our partnership with TravelnRoam. Hostelworld.com is global market leader for hostel and budget accommodation and TravelnRoam will provide a winning solution to our customers when they travel and roam, reducing call costs and staying in touch.

Ray Nolan, one of the founders of Hostelworld has launched his new venture – Worky.com

According to a recent piece in the SBPost - Worky is a 'hiring network' – aimed at disrupting the recruitment market.