S6/E1 Investing in Travel in 2026 with Chris Hemmeter, Thayer Ventures
Introducing the First Captain of Season 6!
We’re thrilled to kick off Season 6 of Travel Trends and our Captain of Industry series with Chris Hemmeter, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Thayer Ventures, for a powerhouse conversation on the future of travel and tech investment.
Chris opens the black box of venture capital, revealing what investors really look for in founders, how to stand out when raising funds, and why 2026 is set to be a defining year for travel entrepreneurs. With a proven track record as both a founder and an investor in industry-shaping companies like Sonder, Muse, and Canary Technologies, he brings hard-won insights every innovator needs to know.
This fascinating conversation also explores the game-changing role of AI —how it’s exposing critical technical gaps at major suppliers, reinventing consumer search through conversational recommendations, and unlocking vast opportunities for startups and established companies.
Chris shares his insights on key investment areas: hospitality tech, connected commerce, influencer-driven social commerce, and frictionless payments. His optimistic outlook for 2026 highlights the opportunities available for those willing to embrace risk and innovation. This discussion sets an excellent tone for our Captains of Industry series. We appreciate Chris joining us and hope you find it informative. For more information, please visit ThayerVentures.com.
👉 Listen to Investing in Travel in 2026 Now
🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad
