Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) hosted its March Start-Up Member Meet-Up on March 31st, featuring Venkat Chandramoleshwar for a candid discussion on “Avoiding Launch Pitfalls: Real-World Go-To-Market (GTM) and Scaling Insights in Travel Tech.”
Drawing on his experience at Google, ITA Software, and United Airlines, Venkat shared practical lessons on how early-stage travel tech companies can move from pilot to scale. His presentation focused on three key areas: identifying the right launch partners, avoiding common go-to-market pitfalls, and building strategies that enable sustainable growth.
Through real-world examples — including ITA Software’s early partnership with Orbitz and the evolution of Google’s travel products — Venkat emphasized the importance of working with partners who are both visionary and capable of execution, as well as the critical role of timing and continuous iteration.
Following the presentation, members participated in a “Runways & Roadblocks” community discussion, where several shared recent announcements from their companies— including new integrations, product launches, and early partnership traction.
The meet-up also included a policy update from Laura Chadwick, highlighting current challenges impacting the travel industry, such as declining international inbound travel to the U.S. and increasing state-level activity related to AI and dynamic pricing.
Interested in attending Travel Tech’s next Start-Up Meet-Up on Tuesday, April 28th?
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes transparency, competition and innovation. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact rtownsend@belverapartners.com.
