Permira-Backed Engine Buys Options Travel to Build Corporate Booking Tool

by | Jul 31, 2026 | Travel

Permira-Backed Engine Buys Options Travel to Build Corporate Booking Tool

Engine, a Denver-based startup focused on business travel, has completed the acquisition of Options Travel, a travel management company operating in the United States. Options Travel generated approximately $408 million in gross sales volume during the previous year. The companies have not released specific details regarding the transaction terms.

Engine has built its business model around serving corporate employees who typically arrange their own travel without utilizing traditional travel management services. The startup operates in what is known as the unmanaged segment of the business travel market, providing solutions to workers at companies that do not employ dedicated travel management agencies. This acquisition marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, as it moves to integrate services from the managed travel sector.

The Denver-based company has demonstrated substantial growth and investor confidence in recent years. Engine employed approximately 1,000 people at the time of this acquisition and previously raised $140 million during a Series C funding round in 2024, with private equity firm Permira leading that investment round.

Following the acquisition, Engine intends to leverage Options Travel’s capabilities and resources to develop booking software that the company believes will address the needs of corporate travel programs. The combination of Engine’s existing platform and Options Travel’s travel management expertise positions the company to offer integrated solutions across both the managed and unmanaged segments of the corporate travel market.

This move reflects broader trends in the business travel sector, where companies are increasingly seeking to consolidate services and provide seamless booking experiences to corporate clients. By acquiring an established travel management company, Engine gains access to existing client relationships, industry expertise, and operational infrastructure that can support its product development ambitions.

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