In Brief: The 2026 Start-Up Summit will serve as a platform for travel tech entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss innovative solutions and future trends in the hospitality industry.
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Travel Tech to Bring Founders, Investors and Industry Leaders Together at 2026 Start-Up Summit – Image Credit Travel Technology Association
Travel Tech Association (Travel Tech), the unified voice for the travel technology ecosystem, announced its second annual Start-Up Summit, taking place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Concorde in National Landing, Arlington, Virginia. The event will bring together travel technology founders, investors, industry leaders, and innovators for a day of networking, education, and collaboration focused on advancing the next generation of travel technology companies.
The Start-Up Summit is designed to help emerging travel technology companies get connected, get advice, and get funded. Through curated networking opportunities, practical discussions with industry leaders, and direct engagement with investors, founders will gain access to the relationships, insights, and resources needed to accelerate growth.
“Travel Tech is committed to supporting emerging innovators and creating opportunities for founders to connect with the people, resources, and expertise that can help them grow,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “What makes the Start-Up Summit so valuable is the density of talent in the room — founders with new ideas, investors looking for what’s next, and industry leaders spark new connections, foster partnerships, and strengthen the broader travel technology ecosystem.”
In addition to educational programming and networking opportunities, the event will feature a pitch competition showcasing innovative travel technology companies and providing selected founders with the opportunity to present their businesses to investors and industry experts. Applications for the pitch competition will open later this summer.
While a limited number of companies will be selected to pitch on stage, all start-up participants will have opportunities to showcase their businesses, build relationships with investors and industry leaders, and gain visibility among attendees throughout the event. Travel Tech is designing the Summit to maximize exposure and meaningful connections for every founder in attendance.
The Start-Up Summit is part of Travel Tech’s broader commitment to supporting companies across every stage of growth. In 2026, Travel Tech expanded its Start-Up Membership Program with new benefits, including enhanced investor engagement opportunities, additional visibility and thought leadership opportunities, founder video highlights, and the launch of a monthly Angel Investor Network Brief.
Additional event details, agenda information, speakers, sponsorship opportunities, and registration information will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, save the date.
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