Top 5 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Travel Startups
Which VC firms are actively funding travel startups? We list the top investors to help you find a partner. Then, manage your new capital with Rho's tools.
Rho Editorial Team
For founders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality tech space, preparing to raise capital means knowing which investors to talk to. Approaching a general VC firm might work, but connecting with travel-focused venture capital firms who understand your specific challenges can make all the difference.
To help you find the right partners, our team at Rho has curated this overview of top venture capital firms investing in travel and hospitality technology. This guide is designed to help you quickly identify relevant investors, whether you're looking for seed, early-stage, or growth-stage funding.
Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.
Key Takeaways
Securing venture funding in the travel industry is about finding a strategic partner who understands the sector's unique dynamics, not just obtaining capital.
Top venture capital firms like Thayer Ventures, Primer Sazze Partners, JetBlue Ventures, and Derive Ventures are active backers of startups in the travel and hospitality space.
If you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.
Which VC Firms in Travel Are Right for Your Stage?
From early-stage funding to preparing for an exit, connecting with the right investors is crucial. We've organized this overview to show you which travel-focused VC firms invest at each stage.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Travel
Seed funding is the initial capital used to launch your business, covering early product development and market entry. For founders in travel and hospitality tech, firms like Primer Sazze Partners, JetBlue Ventures, and Derive Ventures are active at this stage, often providing the first institutional capital.
Early Stage VC Firms in Travel
Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B, is for companies with product-market fit that need capital to scale operations and expand their team. Travel technology venture capital firms like Thayer Ventures and Derive Ventures often focus here, backing companies poised for significant growth.
After closing a funding round, managing your new capital becomes the priority. Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—are designed to help startups manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Late Stage VC Firms in Travel
Late-stage venture capital supports mature startups as they scale aggressively, expand into new markets, or prepare for an IPO or acquisition. Investors such as PAR Capital Management and Thayer Ventures have deep experience guiding companies through these final growth phases toward an exit.
Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages, from seed to exit.
To help you identify the right investors, we've detailed the top VC firms in the travel space below, covering their investment focus, preferred locations, and the unique qualities they offer to founders.
1. Thayer Ventures
Thayer Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in technology companies serving the travel and hospitality sectors. They support startups from their earliest stages through to their growth and late-stage rounds.
The firm is known for backing companies that become category leaders, with a portfolio that includes unicorns like Sonder and Mews. Their focus is on technology that defines the future of travel, from property management systems to guest experience platforms.
Thayer is a strong potential partner if you are building a scalable tech solution for the global travel and hospitality industry. Their track record suggests they are a good fit for founders aiming to build market-defining companies.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Travel and hospitality technology
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2007
Notable portfolio companies: Sonder, Mews, Uplift, and Duetto
Portfolio size: 65 investments
You can refer to their website here.
2. Primer Sazze Partners
Primer Sazze Partners is a California-based firm that backs early-stage companies with ambitious, world-changing ideas. While they invest in travel, their portfolio is broad, spanning multiple technology sectors.
The firm shows a clear preference for technology-driven companies, with investments in AI, cloud computing, and digital content platforms. Their portfolio includes companies like the generative-AI scale-up Upstage AI and the 3D digital-twin software Cupix.
This firm is a good match for founders with a strong technological foundation and a grand vision that extends beyond a single niche. They appear to prioritize product-centric companies with the potential to create new markets.
Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
Industries of focus: Cloud Computing, Content, Social, Travel
Geographical presence: San Jose, California
Founded: 2018
Notable portfolio companies: Chartmetric, Tapas Media, Cupix, and Upstage AI
Portfolio size: 124 investments
You can refer to their website here.
3. JetBlue Ventures
As the corporate venture capital arm of JetBlue, this firm invests in early-stage startups building the future of travel and hospitality. They partner with companies from the seed stage onward to improve the entire travel experience, from booking to arrival.
The firm’s strategic focus is clear from its investments in companies like weather-tech platform Tomorrow.io and sustainable e-fuel developer Aether Fuels. Their track record includes several successful exits, such as the public listing of eVTOL developer Joby Aviation.
This firm is an excellent fit for founders whose technology can directly benefit an airline and the broader travel ecosystem. If your startup offers solutions in sustainability, operational efficiency, or customer experience, the strategic partnership could be invaluable.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Travel, hospitality, aerospace, and financial services
Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
Geographical presence: San Carlos, California
Founded: 2016
Notable portfolio companies: Joby Aviation, Tomorrow.io, Aether Fuels, and TurnKey Vacation Rentals
Portfolio size: 58 investments
You can refer to their website here.
4. Derive Ventures
Derive Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on advancing technology in the travel and hospitality sectors. Based in San Francisco, they support companies from seed and early-stage rounds through to later growth stages.
The firm invests where travel and hospitality intersect with other sectors like fintech and real estate, backing companies with broad applications. Their portfolio includes fintech loyalty platform Bilt Rewards and hotel guest-management tool Canary Technologies.
This firm is a good fit if your company operates at the crossroads of travel, hospitality, and financial or real estate technology. They appear to favor founders building platforms that can achieve significant scale and attract major corporate partners.
Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Hospitality, travel, leisure, real estate, and software
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2021
Notable portfolio companies: Bilt Rewards, Canary Technologies, Scale Computing, and Cardless
Portfolio size: 26 investments
You can refer to their website here.
5. PAR Capital Management
PAR Capital Management is a Boston-based investment firm with a long-term investment strategy. While they invest across multiple industries, they have a significant history of backing companies in the travel sector.
The firm is notable for its broad investment range, supporting companies from seed stage all the way to post-IPO. Their portfolio highlights a focus on businesses with massive scale potential, including well-known public companies like Zillow and Chegg, and major travel-tech exits like SilverRail Technologies.
PAR Capital is a strong potential partner for founders with a proven model and ambitions for a large-scale exit, such as an IPO or a strategic acquisition. Their experience guiding companies through late-stage growth makes them a good fit for startups ready to scale aggressively.
Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
Industries of focus: Travel, financial services
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 1990
Notable portfolio companies: Zillow, Chegg, SilverRail Technologies, and Uplift
Portfolio size: 37 investments
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Travel Companies
This overview shows that the investor base for travel technology is well-balanced across funding stages. You can find firms focused on early-stage rounds, like Primer Sazze Partners, as well as investors like Thayer Ventures and PAR Capital Management that support companies through later growth. This means capital is available whether you are just starting out or scaling toward an exit.
Geographically, there is a strong concentration of firms in California, which is a key point to consider in your outreach strategy. The presence of both traditional and corporate VCs, such as JetBlue Ventures, also shows that different types of strategic partnerships are available depending on your company’s needs.
Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so having a focused list of relevant investors is a major advantage. We created this guide to help you connect directly with partners who understand the travel sector.
After you close your round, the work of managing that capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.
Our platform assists with efficient capital management through integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. These tools are designed specifically for startups to deploy their funds with confidence.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Travel
Which New York venture capital firms invest in travel startups?
While California is a major hub, New York also has active investors. Firms may not focus exclusively on travel but often include it in their consumer or enterprise tech portfolios. Researching local generalist VCs is a good starting point.
Should travel startups approach angel investors or VC firms first?
Many travel startups begin with angel investors for pre-seed capital to validate their idea. VCs typically enter at the seed or Series A stage once there is early traction, a clear business model, and a plan for scaling.
What are the benefits of corporate venture capital firms in travel?
Corporate VCs, like JetBlue Ventures, offer more than just capital. They provide deep industry knowledge, potential strategic partnerships, and access to a large customer base, which can give your startup a significant advantage in the market.
Can general VC firms fund travel technology startups?
Yes, absolutely. Many generalist VCs invest in strong technology companies regardless of the industry. If you have a compelling tech solution with a large addressable market, do not limit your outreach to only travel-focused venture capital firms.
Are there many European venture capital firms for travel tech?
Yes, Europe has a growing number of VCs focused on travel and hospitality tech. Investors in cities like London, Berlin, and Paris are actively funding startups that address the unique needs of the European travel market and its consumers.
How can Rho help after I secure funding from a travel VC?
Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage the new capital. Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all designed to help you deploy funds efficiently and with confidence.