Michael Gulmann is a seasoned technology executive with more than 14 years of experience in the travel industry, specializing in product development and innovation. He is the founder and CEO of Otto, an AI-powered travel assistant designed to make business travel smoother and more intuitive. Otto leverages advanced AI and large language models to deliver a highly personalized experience—essentially bringing back the thoughtful, proactive service of a traditional travel agent in a digital form.
Before launching Otto, Michael spent more than a decade at Expedia, where he served as Senior Vice President of Consumer Product and Egencia as Chief Product Officer & SVP of Marketing. In this role, he played a key part in improving the traveler experience, leading teams that built user-friendly products and enhanced Expedia and Egencia's platforms to make trip planning easier and more efficient.
Michael’s vision for Otto is simple: eliminate the common frustrations of business travel. From flight delays to last-minute hotel changes, Otto acts as a personal assistant, anticipating problems and resolving them before they become disruptions. The idea has already attracted significant industry interest—Otto recently secured a $6 million seed investment, led by Madrona Venture Group, with backing from Steve Singh, the founding CEO of Concur. This support positions Otto to make a major impact in the business travel sector.
Throughout his career, Michael has focused on using technology to enhance the travel experience. His leadership at Otto reflects his passion for innovation, customer-first thinking, and a deep understanding of what modern business travelers need. As Otto continues to grow, Michael remains committed to pushing the boundaries of AI-driven travel, making trips smoother, more efficient, and less stressful.