Indianapolis, USA – Techne Infiniti Ventures and Growth Advisors International Network – GAIN, are proud to announce the Nextwave Seed Investment Challenge @ HITEC ‘25, a bold new initiative giving one hospitality tech startup, attending or exhibiting at HITEC ’25 in Indy, the chance to secure a $50,000 investment and game-changing strategic commercial support.

One Startup. One Shot. $50K on the Line.

This is more than a pitch – it’s a high-stakes opportunity for founders to fast-track their growth, skip the noise, and connect directly with Silicon Valley investors and commercial advisors at the hospitality tech industry’s premier event. And this year, we want YOUR help nominating the most deserving startup.

Nominate a game-changing hospitality tech startup, who is confirmed to be attending or exhibiting at HITEC ‘25, for a shot at $50K from Techne Infiniti Ventures and GAIN.

Nomination applications are open from June 2 – 10, 2025.

Out of the overall nominations received, eight short listed startups will have the unique opportunity to meet 1-on-1 with Techne and GAIN, during the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) HITEC conference.

One final standout will be selected and announced on Thursday June 19th during the final day of HITEC ’25, to advance to Techne’s due diligence process for a potential $50,000 investment through Techne’s Scaler Program, along with 20 hours of high-impact professional commercial advisory support from GAIN.

Hospitality innovation needs activation platforms like the Nextwave Seed Investment Challenge @ HITEC’25, that are bold, founder-first, and focused on real outcomes. At GAIN, we’re proud to stand beside Techne in launching this initiative at HITEC ’25, that delivers true impact and streamlines direct engagement with some the top founders in our industry. Michael Cohen, Managing Partner of Growth Advisors International Network – GAIN

To qualify, startups must be registered as HITEC attendees or exhibitors. This ensures only active, engaged start-up companies attending the conference get a shot at the prize, and that every conversation at HITEC is real, relevant, and growth-focused.

Techne is a hospitality focused fund investing in transformative technologies. Our Scaler Program is designed to help high potential startups get from traction to scale with a custom engagement for each company focused on go-to-market and ecosystem led growth. Our world class advisors come from Silicon Valley tech, top hospitality and travel industry leadership, and the venture investment community. With this proven model, we expect our portfolio companies to create outsized value and drive disruption to the industry. At HITEC ’25, we are proud to be partnering with GAIN and we’re raising the stakes. Anjali Arora, Founding Partner at Techne Infiniti Ventures

Ready to Nominate?

Email [email protected] with the startup company name, website, LinkedIn page and contact info of the founders, to nominate a deserving startup who is also confirmed to be attending or exhibiting at HITEC ‘25. Let’s shape the future of hospitality tech — one startup at a time.

Founders, self-nominations are welcome!

About Techne Infiniti Ventures

Techne is a Silicon Valley venture capital firm investing in next-generation AI-driven hospitality & travel technologies. With deep industry, technology and investment expertise, and an extensive global network of experts in hospitality and travel, Techne operates a venture studio, a scaler program, and makes direct investments.

About Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN)

GAIN, the leading global travel & hospitality advisory firm for growth & innovation, is a specialized network of travel and hospitality industry veterans, innovators, and strategists. Through strategic industry access, networking and VIP events activations, and highly focused product, go to market and AI-enhanced advisory services, GAIN enables startups, scaleups and enterprise entities, to accelerate innovation and efficiently scale, in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. gainadvisors.com

Zoe Koumbouzi
GAIN – Growth Advisors International Network