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Eli Ostreicher

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Eli Ostreicher
Born
Moshe Eli

July 1983
London, England
DiedJanuary 11, 2023(2023-01-11) (aged 39)
Thailand
NationalityBritish / American
OccupationSerial entrepreneur
Years active2006–2023
Employer(s)Founder & CEO to GTTFP Holdings: Regal Wings, Regal Card, Miles 4 Flights, One Bag Tag, VVandr, ThermBot, SHARGE, Luxury Wholesale Flights, PillBot, VVandr & more.
Notable workUS$500,000 donation to Bonei Olam
RelativesJacob Ostreicher
AwardsInc. 500 #1 Fastest-Growing Travel Company, 2013 | Inc. 500 #76 Fastest-Growing Company, 2014 | Crain's New York Fast 50, 2015 & 2016 | Inc. Hire Power Award, 2013 | Under 30 Leader Award, 2010 | Inc. Top 10 NYC Companies, 2016
Websitehttps://gttfp.com

Eli Ostreicher (July 1983 – January 11, 2023) was a British-born American serial entrepreneur based in New York City.[1][2] He was the founder and active CEO of GTTFP Holdings,[3] originally a B2B luxury air-travel provider and Inc. 500 #1 awardee[4] in the United States.[1][5][6] GTTFP Holdings now houses Regal Wings, The Regal Card, Regal Jets, Luxury Wholesale Flights, One Bag Tag, VVandr, SHARGE, ThermBot, PillBot; a total of 11 brands.[7]

At the time of his death in early 2023, it was estimated that Ostreicher had created over US$600 million in revenue within GTTFP Holdings.[8][9][10]

Early life, family and education

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Ostreicher was born in London, England. The family was part of London's Orthodox Jewish community.[6][9]

Ostreicher's paternal grandmother is the oldest of 16 siblings to her parents, Joseph and Yitta Schwartz. His great-grandmother Yitta Schwartz died at age 93 leaving over 2,000 living descendants; following her funeral, The New York Times ran a feature story, "God Said Multiply, and Did She Ever".[11]

In his early teens, he attended yeshiva in Hitchin; in his later teens, Ostreicher attended SmartTrack, an IT college in London's Lee Valley area, where he received Microsoft MCSE and Cisco CCNA certifications in 2004.[3]

Career

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Ostreicher started his business career at the age of 22, opening a small home-based travel agency in Aventura, Florida.[12] In 2006 he moved to New York City and founded Regal Wings.[13][14] He later expanded the company to 300-plus employees with luxury travel agent services, business travel management and leisure.[15] In 2010, he opened a satellite office of the company in Chennai, India. GTTFP Holdings and its Regal group of brands have offices in New York City, San Francisco, London, Singapore and Shenzhen.

In 2012, Regal Wings was listed in Inc. magazine's as the fastest-growing travel company in the United States with a growth rate of 2,513%.[4] With a further 4,146% growth rate in 2013, the company grossed $54.4 million in revenue.[16] In that year, Ostreicher received Inc. magazine's "Hire Power award" recognizing his role for job creation.[17] In 2014, the company was listed in Inc. magazine's 33rd annual 500 list as the 76th-fastest-growing company in the United States, the 6th-highest-ranking New York company and 8th in New York City.[2][18] He served various high-profile companies and blue-chip organizations for premium and air travel including Rolex, Walmart, Berkshire Hathaway, The United Nations, Bayer, Colgate, Universal Studios, Triple Five Group, Columbia University, Escada, and the Maroon 5 band.[15][19][20][21]

In 2015, Ostreicher launched Regal Card, an airport lounge and travel-benefits membership program as a sister concern of Regal Wings.[22] In the late 2016, Regal Wings partnered with China-based lounge developer DragonPass[23][24] to offer global airport lounge access to its Regal Card members. Regal Card also includes travel benefits such as instant elite status with brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, SIXT, Hertz and discounts at 5-star hotel chains worldwide.[25]

In 2017, he patented One Bag Tag, the world's first electronic luggage tag to replace airline-issued wasteful paper tags.[26][27] One Bag Tag is now partnered with Amsterdam-based BAGTAG[28] who run One Bag Tag's airline integration to international airliners, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Air France, China Southern and KLM.

Ostreicher also founded Miles 4 Flights, which helps individuals convert their airline mileage into flights.[29] In the same year, he started Harei At, the first dating site for orthodox Jewish marriage-minded singles.[6][19][30][31] This venture failed and was subsequently sold to JWed.com.

In 2019, Ostreicher founded both SHARGE[32] and VVandr.[33] SHARGE is the world's smallest 3-port 65W laptop and USB-C/A wall charger,[34] while VVandr makes thermometers, and a handmade hand-painted Donald Trump bobblehead.[35]

In 2020, during C-19 when VVandr sold a large number of oral thermometers,[36] Ostreicher was inspired to create ThermBot, the world's smallest contactless and battery-less smart thermometer.[37][38][39]

Philanthropy

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In 2013, Ostreicher donated $500,000 to Bonei Olam, a communal organization that aids married couples dealing with infertility.[40][41][42] He was on the senior advisory board of various startup and entrepreneur-focused organizations, including YJP and Voyager HQ.[43]

Ostreicher has been involved in helping his uncle Jacob Ostreicher in his release from a Bolivian prison where he was corruptly held for 18 months without having committed any crime.[44][45] He was later released by the help of actor Sean Penn who went to visit him in Bolivia.[46]

Personal life and demise

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Ostreicher relocated from the UK to the US when he was in his early 20s. Initially he was in southern Florida. He later resided in New York City.

Ostreicher was killed in a motorcycle collision in Thailand on January 11, 2023, at age 39.[47]

Awards and honors

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  • Inc. 500 #1 Fastest-Growing Travel Company, 2013[48]
  • Inc. Hire Power Awards, 2013[49]
  • Nedivas Halev Award, 2016[50]
  • Inc. 500 #76 of 500 Fastest-Growing US Companies, 2014[51][8]
  • Inc. 500 #6 Fastest Growing NYC Company[2]
  • Crain's New York Fast 50, 2015[52]
  • Crain's New York Fast 50, 2016[53]
  • Smart CEO, 2017[54]

References

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  1. ^ a b Eller, Sandy (January 10, 2014). "Eli Ostreicher Reaches For The Sky". jewishpress.com. The Jewish Press. pp. 29–30. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2015 – via issuu.com.
  2. ^ a b c Lagorio-Chafkin, Christine (August 20, 2014). "Business as Usual? Fuggedaboutit! Meet the 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in New York City". Inc. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Eli Ostreicher". LinkedIn.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Inc. Magazine - September 2013". Inc. September 2013. pp. 210–211. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  5. ^ Luchies, Michael (July 15, 2014). "Investing in Service: Interview with Regal Wings Founder Eli Ostreicher". Under30CEO. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Eller, Sandy (August 19, 2013). "New York - Brooklyn Orthdoox Businessman Snags #1 Category Ranking In Inc.'s 500 List". VIN News. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  7. ^ "GTTFP Holdings". GTTFP Holdings | An Innovative Collection of Brands. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Regal Wings". Inc.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Regal Wings Takes High Honors, Named to Inc. Magazine's Prestigious 500 List". MarketWatch. August 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "Eli Ostreicher (@eliostreicher) • Instagram photos and videos". instagram.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  11. ^ Berger, Joseph (February 19, 2010). "God Said Multiply, and Did She Ever". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  12. ^ "Investing in Service: Interview with Regal Wings Founder Eli Ostreicher". Veooz.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  13. ^ "Regal Wings | A message from our CEO Eli Ostreicher". December 28, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2020 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Regal Wings Promises Most Affordable Luxury Air Travel This Holiday Season". PRWeb. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Regal Wings Makes Inc. Magazine's Annual 500-5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies". September 12, 2013. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  16. ^ Grantz, Nesanel. "Lunch Break With Eli Ostreicher". AMI Magazine. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015 – via regalwings.com.
  17. ^ "Regal Wings - Brooklyn NY - Inc. 500 - 2013". Inc. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  18. ^ "Regal Wings - Brooklyn, NY". Inc. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  19. ^ a b "YEC Member Spotlight: Eli Ostreicher, CEO of Regal Wings". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  20. ^ "Startup People Eli Ostreicher – Founder Of The World's Only Dating Site For Orthodox Jews". killerstartups.com. November 17, 2013. Archived from the original on January 20, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Fastest Growing New York Companies". newyork.businessdistrict.com. September 17, 2014. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  22. ^ "The Regal Card Introduces Unprecedented Luxury for the Average Traveler". prnewswire.com (Press release). January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  23. ^ "Regal Wings enters premium lounge arena". February 2017. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  24. ^ "International Partnership Takes the Premium Travel Experience to New Heights". prnewswire.com (Press release). June 21, 2016. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  25. ^ "The Regal Card Introduces Unprecedented Luxury for the Average Traveler" (Press release). CNBC. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  26. ^ "Could this be the one bag tag to rule them all?". newatlas.com. December 7, 2016. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  27. ^ "One Bag Tag | Goodbye Lost Bags and Sticky Tags". OneBagTag.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  28. ^ "BAGTAG unveils multi-solution electronic bag tag platform". Future Travel Experience. October 17, 2019. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  29. ^ "Having a Frequent Flier Freakout? Don't despair — help is closer than you think". 850businessmagazine.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  30. ^ "Eli Ostreicher, CEO of Regal Wings". ceogolf.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  31. ^ "Online Travel Agency Miles 4 Flights Helps Travelers Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles on Normally Unavailable Seats". prurgent.com (Press release). December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  32. ^ "SHARGE | Palm Sized Power". SHARGE. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  33. ^ "Quality Products by VVandr". VVandr. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  34. ^ "SHARGE Laptop USB-C Charger". amazon.com. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  35. ^ "Donald Trump bobblehead". amazon.com. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "How VVandr saved $660,000 of sales with FBM and Deliverr". Deliverr. May 7, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  37. ^ "ThermBot – The Thermometer: Smaller. Faster. Smarter". Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  38. ^ "Entrepreneurship over Sex". nakedentrep.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  39. ^ Sheth, Sarang (August 18, 2020). "This IFTTT-ready smart-thermometer can send your HR a leave-request if you fall sick". yankodesign.com. Yanko Design. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  40. ^ "$500,000 Donation by Eli Ostreicher to Bonei Olam". gruntig.net. April 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  41. ^ "Eli Ostreicher Donates Half a Million Dollars to Bonei Olam". Matzav.com. April 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  42. ^ "Thousands Jam Hall For Bonei Olam Dinner". Daily Hamonia. April 24, 2013. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  43. ^ "Mentors and Investors 2019". voyagerhq.com. Voyager HQ. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  44. ^ Shoichet, Catherine E. (December 19, 2012). "Bolivia releases imprisoned American after 18 months". CNN.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  45. ^ Guttman, Nathan (December 18, 2012). "Jacob Ostreicher Freed on Bail in Bolivia". The Forward. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  46. ^ "For Brooklyn Entrepreneur, Bolivian Jail and an Actor's Aid". The New York Times. January 1, 2013. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  47. ^ "Former Borough Park Businessman Dies in Thailand Motorcycle Crash". VIN News. January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  48. ^ Wings, Regal. "Regal Wings Takes High Honors, Named to Inc. Magazine's Prestigious 500 List". prnewswire.com (Press release). Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  49. ^ "Top Companies on the 2013 Inc. Hire Power Awards". Inc. September 2013. pp. 210–211. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  50. ^ "Eli Ostreicher Donates Half a Million Dollars to Bonei Olam". theyeshivaworld.com. Yeshiva World News. April 30, 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  51. ^ Lagorio-Chafkin, Christine (August 20, 2014). "Meet the 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in New York City". Inc. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  52. ^ "New York's Fastest-Growing Companies 2015" (PDF). Crain's New York Business. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  53. ^ "New York's Fastest-Growing Companies 2016" (PDF). Crain's New York Business. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  54. ^ "Regal Wings - 2017 New York SmartCEO Future 50 Award Winner". smartceo.com. February 13, 2017. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
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