Our Approach
Travel Capitalist Ventures identifies, invests and actively supports companies changing the travel industry.
Travel founders and management teams require capital, industry experience, introductions, supplier relationships, strategic guidance beyond capital.
We want to work with leaders and future leaders in lucrative niches within travel whether in Delhi, Dubai or Detroit. We bring our experience in travel, finance and business to each investment through a multi-disciplinary team from in and outside of the firm solely focused on helping our investments to succeed.
Global Reach
We believe an integrated global travel industry requires a global integrated travel investor.
Our refined approach to investing is based on qualitative and quantitative factors including proprietary research, experienced local professionals, government and trade assistance.
Our dispassionate assessment covers the travel vertical market, why now versus later, if the team is capable of executing on what’s required, which partners, advisors and customers are on board and the traction received to date given the available resources.
By the numbers
7
Countries Invested In
$1.5M
Average Early Stage Ticket Size
100%
% Firm Partners with Operating Experience
70%
% Minority or Women led Investments
45%
B2C Investments
55%
B2B Investments
100%
% Future Round Participation
100%
% Invested in Travel
A post-Covid travel investment climate requires experienced travel investors more than any other time in recent history. I am confident in our ability to proactively act and tactically react to the ebb and flow within the travel industry by leveraging our proprietary approach and strengths in a sustainable and profitable manner.
— Abrar Ahmad - Partner, Travel Capitalist Ventures
Our Philosophy
The Foundation Of an Investment
01.
Identify
Travel Capitalist maintains a list of travel verticals, markets and companies that fall within our mandate based on our experience in travel and business, our research activities and internal discussions.
02.
Evaluate
Prospective investments from inbound requests, referrals and previous engagements are evaluated based on the opportunity, the team, the market(s) they operate in, the travel verticals in question, revenue model, traction to date and (if) Travel Capitalist has a value add going forward.
03.
Invest
A term sheet is offered and hands on due diligence is conducted by Travel Capitalist Partners (quite different than the norm) both virtually and on-site in later stages of discussion. The terms of the investment, structure, timing, the size of the investment round, others co-investing and prospective contribution to our broader portfolio are evaluated.
04.
Grow
Every resource, contact, strategic advice, relationship and value add across the entire company is at your disposal. We live, eat, breathe travel and want to support the management team in identifying and executing upon their vision.
MORE INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions - Funding
What investment rounds/stages are a focus?
The firm invests across stages primarily from post-market fit onwards. Typically equity Series A through C via the Evergreen and Travel Fund I. Growth capital of $15M to $50M is available through the Growth fund and sovereign wealth co-investors we represent (before, during and after the investment). The firm does not provide bridge loans or financing to new investments although we intend on following up on all future rounds.
Do you consider idea or pre-product market fit investments?
The company does not invest in idea stage companies; we typically recommend an incubator. Pre-product market fit companies with traction (paid customers, high usage..) should submit updates (via our contact form) and submit a request for funding when they’ve reached product-market fit.
Which countries do you invest in?
Our mandate is global and there aren’t any strict limits on where. The firm is very comfortable making frontier and emerging market investments as we’ve done in Brazil, India, Pakistan and the Middle East. Looking ahead this year, the company will expand further into Africa and looking for toe-hold investments in Asia (Pacific) including Vietnam, S Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia with strong co-investors/local partners. We intend on Australia New Zealand areas in the coming years.
Where can I submit my investor presentation and financials?
Submitting your documents on our website is the ideal way to submit your investor presentation and financials. (https://travelcapitalist.com/funding). Our company follows standard venture capital and growth capital standards on which documents you should include but typically an investor deck, financials and a general description. You are welcome to link to a demo login or app where applicable.