One of the most interesting trends we track is the mixing of business and travel. It's a long-term trend that's been accelerated by the pandemic-induced shift to remote work.
This broad trend includes several sub-trends, including the rapidly growing number of digital nomads and increased bleisure travel (combining business and leisure travel).
Entrepreneurial tourism, which combines starting a new business with travel, is another growing segment.
Skift's Venture Capital Legend Tim Draper Looks to Franchise Hostels covers Draper Startup House: Key quote:
"Draper Startup House, the eponymous chain of 30 hostels across 25 countries that caters to both entrepreneurs and investors, offering them workshops, a digital community, and funding opportunities ..."
In other words, Draper Startup Houses blend startup programs, funding opportunities, and like-minded communities with accommodations and hospitality services.
The Draper Startup House chart below (click to enlarge), shows some of their services.
Draper is not the only firm pursuing this niche.
Earlier this year, we posted on the hotel group Selina teaming with Tech Arts to create an entrepreneurial tourism program.
And Skift's article points out that the large VC firm Andreessen Horowitz recently invested in Launch House, another entrepreneurial tourism company.
Many coworking spaces around the world also provide startup programs.
The bottom line is that entrepreneurial tourism means startup founders can now choose to start their firms from a wide range of global locations and programs.
We've mentioned in the past that economic geography is a fascinating field. And the rise of entrepreneurial tourism is another example.
