American Express Ventures

American Express Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of American Express, focused on investing in startups to expand American Express's capabilities in consumer commerce and B2B services. The firm is stage agnostic after seed and seeks opportunities both domestically and internationally. It targets areas including consumer commerce with emphasis on mobile, consumer payments, marketplaces, lending, loyalty and digital marketing products; business-to-business services such as business payments, process automation, lending and small business services; and core capabilities such as servicing, customer acquisition, fraud detection, security, data analytics and underwriting. It invests in fintech and related sectors to enhance American Express's core platform. It is based in Palo Alto with an additional office in New York.

Marta Arellano

Associate

Julia Brown

Associate

Sarah Kreifus

Principal

Margaret Lim

Managing Director

Mona Pezeshki

Investor

Past deals in Hospitality

Blackbird

Series B in 2025
Blackbird Labs is a web3 hospitality technology platform founded in 2022 by Ben Leventhal and based in New York, United States. The company focuses on directly connecting restaurants with their customers through loyalty and membership services. By leveraging innovative software solutions, Blackbird Labs aims to enhance the dining experience, facilitating meaningful and ongoing interactions between restaurants and their guests. The platform is designed to transform how hospitality businesses engage with their clientele, ultimately elevating customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Tock

Acquisition in 2024
Tock, Inc., established in 2014 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, specializes in developing and operating a comprehensive platform for managing reservations and operations in the hospitality industry. Its core product, Tock, is a robust system that enables restaurants, wineries, and pop-ups worldwide to manage reservations, tables, and events, offer delivery and pick-up options, and capture guest data for targeted marketing and improved hospitality. The platform also provides features such as automated confirmations, add-ons at booking, POS integration, marketing tools, and detailed reporting to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience.

Rooam

Acquisition in 2024
Rooam is a contactless payment platform that serves the nightlife and hospitality industry, providing a modern solution for restaurants, bars, music venues, and arenas across the country. The platform enables users to streamline their payment processes for bar tabs and restaurant bills through its financial application, which can be seamlessly integrated with existing point-of-sale (POS) systems without requiring additional hardware. Rooam's features include real-time friend location services and event discovery, enhancing the overall experience for patrons. Furthermore, the platform is PCI-compliant, ensuring secure transactions and promoting a hassle-free payment experience.

Resy, American Express Global Dining Network

Acquisition in 2019
Resy is an online reservation platform that simplifies the process of booking tables at restaurants. Catering to both diners and restaurants, Resy connects users with a diverse selection of over 5,000 establishments globally. Through its content-rich website and user-friendly mobile app, the platform allows diners to easily discover and reserve tables at their favorite restaurants without the hassle often associated with making reservations. Resy is designed with a focus on hospitality, providing users with access to restaurant ratings and reviews, which enhances their dining experience. By leveraging technology, Resy aims to redefine the future of hospitality and serve as a valuable resource for food enthusiasts.

LoungeBuddy

Acquisition in 2019
LoungeBuddy, Inc. is a mobile application company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in providing travelers with short-term access to airport lounges worldwide. By enabling users to discover, book, and access these lounges, LoungeBuddy enhances the travel experience for those seeking comfort and amenities while waiting for flights. The company operates as a subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. LoungeBuddy's innovative platform allows lounge operators to sell excess capacity, capitalizing on the significant gap between available and utilized entries. This technology-focused approach includes a patent-pending, real-time inventory management system that optimizes passenger flow and facilitates transactions for various travel-related companies. With the global airport lounge market experiencing underutilization, LoungeBuddy aims to transform lounge access into a standard component of the air travel experience, alongside flights and hotel bookings.

Pocket Concierge

Acquisition in 2019
Pocket Concierge is a Japanese online platform facilitating restaurant reservations at selected high-end establishments. Its mission is to promote Japanese culinary culture globally while offering users an exclusive dining experience. The platform enables seamless bookings and payments, overcoming language and payment barriers for both mobile and web browser users.

Mezi

Acquisition in 2018
Mezi is a travel technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, that specializes in providing executive assistant services through a text message interface. Acquired by American Express in 2018, Mezi offers a personal travel assistant application that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to assist users in planning and booking their trips. The platform enables travelers to book flights, reserve hotel accommodations, and make dining arrangements, all through a simple messaging app. Mezi aims to enhance the travel experience by delivering a personalized, efficient service that allows individuals to navigate their travel needs with ease and confidence, positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving travel landscape.

Mezi

Series A in 2016
Mezi is a travel technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, that specializes in providing executive assistant services through a text message interface. Acquired by American Express in 2018, Mezi offers a personal travel assistant application that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to assist users in planning and booking their trips. The platform enables travelers to book flights, reserve hotel accommodations, and make dining arrangements, all through a simple messaging app. Mezi aims to enhance the travel experience by delivering a personalized, efficient service that allows individuals to navigate their travel needs with ease and confidence, positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving travel landscape.

IfOnly

Series B in 2016
IfOnly operates as an online marketplace dedicated to offering unique experiences that serve both personal enrichment and charitable causes. It connects members with local experts and renowned figures such as athletes, artists, and entertainers, providing access to a carefully curated selection of extraordinary activities. This platform enables users to engage in memorable experiences while also contributing to meaningful causes around the globe. Through its offerings, IfOnly fosters shared interests and connections among its members, allowing them to enjoy exceptional moments every weekend. Additionally, luminaries can promote their talent and build their brands within a safe environment on the IfOnly marketplace, ensuring that their efforts support impactful initiatives.

IfOnly

Series A in 2013
IfOnly operates as an online marketplace dedicated to offering unique experiences that serve both personal enrichment and charitable causes. It connects members with local experts and renowned figures such as athletes, artists, and entertainers, providing access to a carefully curated selection of extraordinary activities. This platform enables users to engage in memorable experiences while also contributing to meaningful causes around the globe. Through its offerings, IfOnly fosters shared interests and connections among its members, allowing them to enjoy exceptional moments every weekend. Additionally, luminaries can promote their talent and build their brands within a safe environment on the IfOnly marketplace, ensuring that their efforts support impactful initiatives.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.