The travel agency industry in the US is a dynamic sector encompassing various companies that facilitate travel planning and bookings for consumers. This includes traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies (OTAs), and niche service providers specializing in specific travel experiences. Companies in this industry offer services ranging from flight, hotel, and car rental bookings to curated travel experiences and adventure packages. With evolving consumer preferences leaning towards personalized travel, agencies are increasingly exploring technology and AI-based solutions to enhance user experience. Furthermore, the industry's recovery post-pandemic showcases resilience, increasing opportunities for innovation and investment.


The list of 12 investors comprises a mix of venture capital firms and corporate investors, mainly headquartered in California and New York. Ranging from established entities like Accel to emerging firms like FJ Labs, these investors vary in size and 2024 deal counts—Plug and Play Tech Center led with 253 investments, while others like TCV made ten. Founded between 1983 and 2015, these firms collectively illustrate a robust commitment to backing travel startups, making strategic moves to tap into this vibrant sector.


Top 12 Travel Agency Investors in the US


1. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator founded in 2010, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Notably, 500 Global has made several investments in the travel sector, including Tripoto Travel Private Limited, which raised $900,000 in a seed round in 2015, and Flightfox, an Australian travel search company that raised $800,000 in angel funding in 2012. They also invested in SeeMexico, Wanderu, and Headout, with the latter raising $30 million in an extended Series B round in 2022. These transactions highlight 500 Global's active role in supporting innovative travel startups, reinforcing their relevance in the travel agency industry.


2. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, making it a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its notable investments in the travel sector are Flightfox, which raised $800K in angel funding to help users find the best flight deals through a unique crowdsourcing model, and Wanderlog, a travel planning tool that has raised funds in multiple rounds. Additionally, Y Combinator invested in Airfordable, a company that allows travelers to pay for flights in installments, showcasing their engagement in innovative travel solutions. They also invested in Airbnb during its early stages, further solidifying their involvement in the travel industry.


3. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They specialize in connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2024 alone, they made 253 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in several travel-related companies, including Sastaticket.pk, which raised $50 million in Series A funding in February 2022, and TravelTipz.ru, which raised $2.17 million in Series B funding in July 2013. These transactions highlight their involvement in the travel agency sector, making them a relevant player in this industry.


4. Government of Canada

  • Website: canada.ca
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Canada, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 137
  • LinkedIn: government-of-canada

The Government of Canada is a public entity that provides a wide range of services and information to Canadian citizens and residents, addressing various needs including employment, immigration, health care, and taxation. Founded in 1999, it operates through multiple departments and agencies to ensure access to essential services and support for individuals and businesses across the country. In the context of travel and tourism, the Government of Canada has engaged in several significant transactions, including grants to Club Voyages and Travel For All, aimed at enhancing travel services. Additionally, it has supported Tourism Calgary with a grant, further emphasizing its role in promoting and facilitating travel within Canada. These actions reflect the government's commitment to the travel industry, making it a relevant investor in this sector.


5. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 101
  • LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. The firm has a global presence with offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China. Accel has made significant investments in the travel agency industry, including KAYAK, where they participated in Series C and D funding rounds, raising a total of $211 million. They also invested in HolidayMe, a Dubai-based OTA, which raised $16 million in a Series C funding round, and HolidayIQ, a travel information portal in India, which received $5.5 million in funding. Additionally, Accel led a $37 million Series E funding round for HotelTonight, a mobile app for booking last-minute hotel rooms. These transactions highlight Accel's commitment to supporting innovative travel solutions and their relevance in the travel agency sector.


6. Goldman Sachs

  • Website: goldmansachs.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 59
  • LinkedIn: goldman-sachs

Goldman Sachs is a prominent investment bank and financial services firm based in New York, founded in 1998. It offers a wide range of services including investment banking, asset management, and wealth management, catering to a diverse clientele that includes corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. In the travel agency context, Goldman Sachs has made notable investments in companies such as Yatra, which raised over $42 million in post-IPO equity in September 2023, and Klook, a travel service platform that secured $200 million in Series D funding in August 2018, along with an earlier $60 million in Series C funding in October 2017. Additionally, they invested in OneTwoTrip, which raised $8 million in a venture round in March 2015. These transactions highlight Goldman Sachs' active role in the travel agency sector, showcasing their interest in supporting and growing travel-related businesses.


7. FJ Labs

  • Website: fjlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 169
  • LinkedIn: fj-labs

FJ Labs is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2015, that specializes in investing in marketplace and network effect businesses. With a portfolio of over 1,000 companies, many achieving unicorn status, FJ Labs provides capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs across various industries, including e-commerce and logistics. Notably, FJ Labs has invested in travel-related startups such as ViajaNet, which raised $6.3 million in a Series E round in 2020, and Headout, a traveltech startup that raised $12 million in Series B funding in September 2021 and an additional $30 million in February 2022. These transactions highlight FJ Labs' active role in the travel agency sector, supporting companies that aim to innovate and expand within the travel industry.


8. Tcv

  • Website: tcv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: technology-crossover-ventures

TCM, Inc. (Technology Crossover Ventures) is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 1995. Tcv specializes in growth equity investments in technology companies, partnering with mission-driven teams to provide capital and strategic guidance to help businesses scale and achieve market leadership. Tcv has made significant investments in the travel agency sector, including notable transactions such as Orbitz Worldwide, which raised funds in a post-IPO equity round in 2008, and Expedia, which raised $60 million in a private equity round in 2000. Furthermore, Tcv has invested multiple times in Klook, a travel service platform, with investments totaling $625 million across several funding rounds from 2016 to 2019. These transactions highlight Tcv's active role in the travel agency industry, despite their broader focus on technology sectors.


9. General Atlantic

  • Website: generalatlantic.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 32
  • LinkedIn: general-atlantic

General Atlantic is a private equity investment firm based in New York, specializing in growth equity. Founded in 1980, the firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and growth companies across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Atlantic has made significant investments in the travel agency sector, including a majority stake acquisition in Kiwi.com for approximately $125 million, aimed at expanding the company's range of travel services. Additionally, they have invested in Decolar.com and Despegar, both prominent players in the online travel agency market. Their recent acquisition of a minority stake in TBO.com further underscores their commitment to the travel technology space, as TBO.com has a substantial gross transaction value, indicating a strong market presence. Through these investments, General Atlantic leverages its global network and expertise to enhance the growth trajectories of its portfolio companies in the travel industry.


10. Expedia Group LATAM


Expedia Group LATAM is a corporate investor based in Bellevue, Washington, founded in 1996. As a leading online travel platform, Expedia Group offers a comprehensive range of services including hotel bookings, flight reservations, car rentals, and vacation rentals, catering to both individual travelers and businesses. The company has made significant acquisitions in the travel agency space, including the purchase of Travelocity for $280 million in 2015 and Orbitz Worldwide for approximately $1.34 billion, which aimed to solidify their position as a top online travel agency. Additionally, they acquired Classic Vacation Group for around $48 million, further expanding their portfolio. Expedia has also participated in funding rounds for travel companies like Despegar, which raised $270 million, and Traveloka, which secured $350 million, showcasing their active engagement in the travel agency sector.


11. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has made significant investments in the travel sector, including TravelBank, which raised funds in a Series C round, and Cruisebound, which secured $2.71 million in a convertible note. Additionally, they have invested in battleface, a company that raised $35 million in a Series B round, further emphasizing their active role in travel-related ventures.


12. General Catalyst


General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments, providing capital and strategic guidance to startups across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has made significant investments in the travel agency sector, participating in funding rounds for KAYAK, a leading online travel agency, from its early stages in 2004 through to its Series D round in 2007, where they helped raise $196 million. Additionally, they invested in ViajaNet, a Sao Paulo-based online travel agency, contributing to its growth funding in 2011 and participating in a Series C round in 2013. These transactions highlight General Catalyst's active role in supporting and scaling travel-related businesses, showcasing their commitment to the travel agency industry.



Travel Agency Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Government of CanadaCanada, Kentucky, United States (USA)10001+1999137
AccelPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-2001983101
Goldman SachsNew York, New York, United States (USA)10001+199859
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
TcvMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200199510
General AtlanticNew York, New York, United States (USA)501-1000198032
Expedia Group LATAMBellevue, Washington, United States (USA)10001+19960
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
General CatalystSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002000144


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