Top 5 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Hospitality Startups

When you're preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital firms focused on your sector is critical. Pitching to investors who already get the nuances of the hospitality and travel tech industries can save you time and improve your odds of finding the right partner.

To help you connect with relevant investors, our team has curated this overview of the top VC firms active in the hospitality space, from early-stage to growth-stage funds.

Actively raising? You can now access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through Rho Capital. Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding provides hospitality startups with the capital to scale and the strategic support from investors who understand the industry's unique challenges.

• Top venture firms active in hospitality tech include Branded Hospitality, Thayer Ventures, Derive Ventures, and Jaws Ventures, which have backed numerous startups in the sector.

• Once you've secured funding, Rho helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Hospitality Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're raising your first round or preparing for an exit, connecting with the right investors is key. To help, we've outlined some of the most active hospitality VC firms and the stages they focus on.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Hospitality

This is the earliest stage of funding, designed for startups that are still refining their product and establishing initial market traction. For founders in the hospitality sector, seed stage venture capital firms like Big Rock and Branded Hospitality focus on providing this foundational capital.

If you're looking for non-dilutive options alongside equity, Rho Capital connects startups to venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided matching process, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Hospitality

Early-stage funding, typically covering Series A and B rounds, is for companies that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to scale their team and customer base. Some of the most active early stage venture capital firms in hospitality tech include Thayer Ventures, Derive Ventures, and Jaws Ventures.

Once you've secured that funding, Rho’s integrated financial platform—with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—helps you manage and deploy your new capital efficiently.

Late Stage VC Firms in Hospitality

Late-stage capital is for mature companies looking to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, or prepare for an exit through an acquisition or IPO. Among the venture capital investment firms that support hospitality companies at this stage are Thayer Ventures and Derive Ventures.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple startup funding stages, offering support from a company's inception through to its exit.

To help you find the right investment partner, we've outlined the top VC firms in the hospitality sector. You'll find key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.

1. Branded Hospitality

Branded Hospitality is a New York-based investment firm backing ventures across the hospitality, food and beverage, and retail technology sectors. The firm focuses on driving growth and innovation for companies at the intersection of these industries.

Investing from seed to early stages, the firm’s portfolio includes notable companies like Bbot, which was acquired by DoorDash, and the Shaquille O’Neal-founded Big Chicken. This signals a focus on building strong consumer and B2B brands with clear market potential and exit opportunities.

This firm is a strong match for early-stage founders in hospitality or restaurant tech who are looking for an investor with deep industry connections. Their portfolio suggests an appreciation for both innovative tech solutions and powerful brand stories.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like this, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Hospitality, food and beverage, restaurants, retail technology
• Geographical presence: Based in New York
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Bbot, PourMyBeer, and Big Chicken
• Portfolio size: Over 70 investments

Once you secure funding, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy your new capital efficiently with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Thayer Ventures

Thayer Ventures is a San Francisco-based firm that invests exclusively in technology companies serving the travel and hospitality industries. They support founders across multiple funding stages, from initial seed rounds through to late-stage growth.

The firm has a history of backing companies that become market leaders, including the publicly-traded Sonder and the billion-dollar property management platform, Mews. This track record points to a focus on high-growth businesses with the potential for significant scale and major exits.

Thayer is a strong potential partner for founders building ambitious travel and hospitality tech platforms who are seeking an investor with deep sector expertise. Their portfolio suggests they are comfortable with companies aiming for substantial market impact and a clear path to an IPO or acquisition.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like Thayer, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Travel technology, hospitality
• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco
• Founded: 2007
• Notable portfolio companies: Sonder, Mews, Uplift, Duetto, and Canary Technologies
• Portfolio size: 65 investments

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.

You can refer to their website here.

3. Derive Ventures

Derive Ventures is a San Francisco-based firm that invests in technology companies advancing the travel and hospitality sectors. They support founders across multiple funding stages, from initial seed rounds through to late-stage growth.

The firm has backed several high-growth companies, including the fintech unicorn Bilt Rewards and guest-management platform Canary Technologies. This track record points to a focus on businesses with strong product-market fit and the potential for significant scale.

Derive is a strong match for founders building ambitious software platforms in travel, hospitality, or real estate tech. Their portfolio suggests they are comfortable with companies aiming for substantial market impact.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like Derive, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Hospitality, Leisure, Real Estate, Software, Travel
• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco
• Founded: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: Bilt Rewards, Canary Technologies, Scale Computing, Cardless, and Rain
• Portfolio size: 26 investments

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.

You can refer to their website here.

4. Jaws Ventures

Jaws Ventures is a Miami-based firm that provides growth capital to companies in the consumer and technology sectors. The firm invests from the seed to early stages, backing founders who are building brands with mass-market appeal.

Their portfolio features high-profile companies like direct-to-consumer brand Parachute Home and e-commerce platform Route, signaling a focus on businesses with strong brand identities. This track record points to an interest in companies with clear paths to significant scale and major exits.

Jaws is a strong potential partner for founders building consumer-facing companies in sectors like e-commerce or hospitality tech. They are a good match if you are aiming for a large-scale outcome, such as an IPO or a major acquisition.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like Jaws, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Consumer, E-Commerce, Hospitality, Internet, Mobile
• Geographical presence: Based in Miami
• Founded: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: Rubicon, Parachute Home, Route
• Portfolio size: 105 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Big Rock

Big Rock is a San Francisco-based family office that invests in the California cannabis, hospitality, and wellness communities. The firm provides seed-stage capital to support founders building businesses in these specific sectors.

Their portfolio highlights a distinct focus on both high-profile consumer brands like the PlumpJack Group and foundational cannabis companies like High Times. This signals an interest in businesses with strong local roots and significant market presence.

This firm is a strong match for seed-stage founders in hospitality, wellness, or cannabis who are building companies with a clear California focus. Their family office structure may appeal to founders looking for a patient, long-term partner.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like Big Rock, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you access financing tailored to your stage.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Cannabis, Hospitality, Wellness
• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco
• Founded: 2009
• Notable portfolio companies: PlumpJack Group, High Times, PharmaCann, CannaCraft
• Portfolio size: 25 investments

Once you secure funding, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy your new capital efficiently with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Hospitality Companies

The venture capital support for hospitality companies is varied, offering options for founders at different points in their journey. While there is significant activity at the seed and early stages from firms like Branded Hospitality and Jaws Ventures, other investors like Thayer and Derive provide capital from a company's start through its later growth rounds.

This suggests a healthy environment for new ideas, but also a clear path for companies ready to scale. Geographically, investors are concentrated in major hubs like San Francisco and New York, which can inform your fundraising strategy. The key takeaway is that whether you're building a niche brand or a large-scale tech platform, there are specialized investors looking for opportunities in this sector.

Once you've secured a partner, the focus shifts to managing your new capital effectively. Rho’s integrated platform, with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, is designed to help you deploy funds efficiently as you grow.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is invaluable when you're raising capital. It saves you critical time and energy, allowing you to concentrate on the conversations that matter most.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process. This gives you more financing choices to support your company's growth.

We help you access financing tailored to your stage without having to chase lenders. Once your round is closed, our integrated platform helps you manage and deploy funds with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Hospitality

Which New York venture capital firms focus on hospitality?

New York is a major hub for hospitality investment, with firms like Branded Hospitality actively funding early-stage food, beverage, and hospitality tech startups. The city's vibrant scene offers strong opportunities for founders seeking capital and industry connections.

What are the top Silicon Valley venture capital firms for hospitality tech?

Silicon Valley and San Francisco are home to key hospitality tech investors like Thayer Ventures, Derive Ventures, and Big Rock. These firms often support companies from seed through late-stage, focusing on scalable software and technology platforms.

Are there international venture capital firms for hospitality startups?

Yes, many international venture capital firms invest in hospitality. While our list focuses on US investors, firms in Europe and Asia also actively fund travel and hospitality tech, so it is worth expanding your search globally.

How do I find Series A venture capital firms for my hospitality startup?

To find Series A investors, focus on early-stage venture capital firms with a history in hospitality, like Thayer Ventures or Jaws Ventures. You can also explore non-dilutive options through Rho Capital to complement your equity round.

What do hospitality-focused VC firms look for?

Hospitality-focused VC firms typically look for a strong founding team, a clear solution to an industry problem, and evidence of market traction. A scalable business model and a large addressable market are also critical for securing funding.

How can Rho help my startup manage its funding?

Once you secure funding, our integrated platform helps you manage it. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, giving you the financial tools to deploy capital and scale your operations efficiently.