Journey Raises $7.7 Million Seed Round Led By Lerer Hippeau And Slow Ventures

Journey (@JourneyRewards), a New York-based travel tech startup, has raised a $7.7 million seed round co-led by Lerer Hippeau and Slow Ventures, with backing from The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly. Cofounded and led by CEO John Sutton—former chief digital officer at Red Ventures—Journey aims to reinvent the fragmented and often confusing travel rewards space with a streamlined loyalty program. Featuring over 1,500 curated properties worldwide, Journey offers travelers 10% back in instantly redeemable points and uses AI to personalize guest experiences. FUN FACT: John Sutton & Brian Kelly first met during Sutton's prior role as Chief Digital Officer at Red Ventures when he acquired Bankrate (who had purchased ThePointsGuy business from Brian Kelly). They hit it off as two of the few true entrepreneurs in the legacy business. FOUNDERS: John Sutton & Matt McBride INVESTORS: Brian Kelly (@Briankelly), Chris Burch (@JChristopherBurch), Kim Perell (@KimPerell), Lerer Hippeau (@LererHippeau), Slow Ventures (@Slow) & Bulletpitch+ (@Bulletpitch) ROUND: Seed AMOUNT: $7,700,000 HQ: #NewYork #NY #NewYorkCity #NYC #VentureCapital #Journey #TradedPartner #LererHippeau #SlowVentures #BrianKelly #KimPerell #JohnSutton #ChrisBurch #MattMcBride #Bulletpitch #TradedVC