Technology Behind the Experience Economy
Technology Behind the Experience Economy
Thesis
Demand for experiences is holding firm even as consumers become more selective with spending. As AI and automation increase productivity, time is becoming a more valuable resource, and that shift is redirecting consumption toward experiences. Travel, leisure, and entertainment are emerging as one of the few areas where demand is both growing and durable.
The scale is clear. Travel and tourism are expected to contribute $16.5 trillion to global GDP by 2035, growing at around 3.5% annually, ahead of the broader economy. International visitor spend alone is projected to reach $2.1 trillion in 2025. This is not a short-term rebound. It reflects a longer-term shift toward experience-led consumption, supported by demographic change, rising longevity, and generational preferences.
What is less developed is the infrastructure layer behind this demand.
As spending moves toward experiences, it creates a parallel need for payment systems, protection, identity, loyalty, and rewards infrastructure across the entire journey. This layer remains fragmented, creating a large opportunity for technology platforms that can standardize, connect, and scale these systems globally.
Meridian is A.GAIN’s dedicated vehicle for this opportunity. The $200M fund invests in the B2B technology that underpins the travel and experience economy, across payments, insurance, loyalty, travel infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
Meridian is built in partnership with Collinson, a global leader in loyalty, travel, and protection. Through its network of 1,400+ banks and issuers, 90+ airline partners, 20+ hotel groups, 1,800+ lounges, and more than 400 million end users, Collinson provides portfolio companies with immediate access to commercial validation and distribution.
We invest from Seed to Growth across the US, Spain, Europe, and MENA, backing the infrastructure layer that enables and captures value from the ongoing shift toward experiences.
The scale is clear. Travel and tourism are expected to contribute $16.5 trillion to global GDP by 2035, growing at around 3.5% annually, ahead of the broader economy. International visitor spend alone is projected to reach $2.1 trillion in 2025. This is not a short-term rebound. It reflects a longer-term shift toward experience-led consumption, supported by demographic change, rising longevity, and generational preferences.
What is less developed is the infrastructure layer behind this demand.
As spending moves toward experiences, it creates a parallel need for payment systems, protection, identity, loyalty, and rewards infrastructure across the entire journey. This layer remains fragmented, creating a large opportunity for technology platforms that can standardize, connect, and scale these systems globally.
Meridian is A.GAIN’s dedicated vehicle for this opportunity. The $200M fund invests in the B2B technology that underpins the travel and experience economy, across payments, insurance, loyalty, travel infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
Meridian is built in partnership with Collinson, a global leader in loyalty, travel, and protection. Through its network of 1,400+ banks and issuers, 90+ airline partners, 20+ hotel groups, 1,800+ lounges, and more than 400 million end users, Collinson provides portfolio companies with immediate access to commercial validation and distribution.
We invest from Seed to Growth across the US, Spain, Europe, and MENA, backing the infrastructure layer that enables and captures value from the ongoing shift toward experiences.