Astound Ventures Has Launched Hospitality Investment Fund
The new collaborative fund aims to boost industry margins by investing in 20 companies over three years.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hospitality
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Burt Cabañas, Alex Cabañas, and Kirk Jones have launched Astound Ventures, a collaborative investment fund focused on hospitality innovation. The fund has already raised $8 million from industry collaborators toward an initial $30 million goal.
Why it matters
The fund seeks to improve net unit margins by investing directly in operational solutions rather than relying on external technology sectors. By leveraging a network of industry experts, the firm aims to test, adopt, and scale new tools across the global market.
Astound Ventures has already invested in 10 companies and engaged with over 100 solution providers. The founders plan to support 20 companies total over the next three years using a collaborative model.
The players
Burt Cabañas
He is a veteran hospitality executive and co-founder of the new investment firm.
Alex Cabañas
He is an experienced industry leader serving as a founding member of Astound Ventures.
Kirk Jones
He is a hospitality industry expert and co-founder of the investment fund.
The details
The investment group operates by exclusively raising capital from a network of hospitality owners, operators, and brands to address systemic industry challenges. The founders bring a combined 60 years of hospitality experience to the venture, having consulted with 300 industry collaborators during the fund's development.
Timeline
The concept for the fund was conceived in May 2025.
Industry collaborators began gathering more than a year ago.
The fund officially launched with an announcement on September 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
The fund represents a shift in industry strategy, moving away from relying on external technology sectors to solve operational problems. By centralizing investment within the hospitality community, it challenges traditional models where operators wait for third-party innovation.
Hospitality operators and owners may see an accelerated rollout of new operational tools and technologies as the fund scales its portfolio. For the broader industry, this could lead to more standardized and efficient solutions designed specifically for hospitality margins.
The takeaway
The firm demonstrates that industry-led investment can bridge the gap between innovation and practical application. By leveraging internal expertise, companies can more effectively solve the specific margin challenges facing the modern hospitality landscape.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sector on our Hospitality page.
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Do you believe industry insiders are better at solving their own sector's operational problems?
