Articles tagged “thayer ventures”

Today's podcast looks at a new travel tech investment powerhouse, United's China strategy, and unruly hotel guests that ruin things for everybody else.

Thayer, the best-known VC firm that invests in travel startups, is essentially merging with a newer fund called Derive. The deal is being pitched as a way to "drive innovation in travel tech," which is VC-speak for "we want to make money off the next big thing in travel apps."

Skift has covered hundreds of travel startup funding rounds over the past few years, and we’ve spoken with numerous founders and investors about the state of venture capital. They all tell a similar story: There’s money to be had, but the bar is much higher now.

Travel venture capital hit a decade low of $2.9 billion in 2023, but early 2024 signals a rebound with increased investments from Asia and the Middle East and a focus on experiences and AI.

Most of the startups that raised money last week were focused on helping hotels and short-term rentals book more guests and smooth out operations.

AI trip planners, alternative jet fuel, the metaverse, next-generation chargers for airline passengers: There is a big variety of travel tech startups raising money lately.

The trick for a travel tech platform to do business with a big company is to start small, prove the service works, and then upsell.

So far, luxury travel club Inspirato is on track with the projections it made in June for its growth. Other companies looking at subscription or luxury products should take note of its latest pitch deck.

Big Tech flies to the Code conference, and politicians flock to Davos. But travel tech professionals don't have their own premiere, invitation-only event. The next-best thing is a conference run by Thayer, an investment firm. Here's a briefing.

It's the latest validation of the subscription model in travel. Inspirato, which has 12,500 customers paying for its luxury travel subscription products, is merging with Thayer's special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC.