A Tech Travel Conversation with Hayley Melidonis, Founder of Bubbl

Q: Hayley, tell us a bit about yourself! Where are you from, and where are you located now?

Hayley: I’m originally from Sydney, Australia, and after years of bouncing around the globe, I’m currently based in the Bay Area. But honestly, the world feels like home when you love to travel as much as I do!

Q: What sparked your love of travel?

Hayley: Growing up, I always had a curiosity about other cultures and places. I loved the idea of meeting people from all walks of life and learning their stories. My first big adventure was at the age of 7 when my parents took me to Europe in a camper van for 3 months. After college, I traveled for 2 and a half years. Australians can get visas and I was lucky to have a British passport through my heritage which enabled me to travel and work around the world. I visited Japan, Europe, and many other places before the age of 23.

Q: You’ve had an incredible career in tech and entrepreneurship. What led you to find Bubbl?

Hayley: Bubbl was born out of a passion for meaningful connections. I’ve always believed that travel is more enjoyable when shared with like-minded people. My experiences running Total Heliski, a heli-skiing adventure company, and managing shared ski houses in Palisades Tahoe showed me how impactful sharing experiences with friends in a group environment can be. I wanted to take that to the next level with Bubbl, using tech to simplify the planning process so that anyone can easily organize these types of vacations and find their community.

Q: Who is Bubbl for?

Hayley: Bubbl caters to a variety of travelers, including:

• Digital Nomads & Remote Workers: Those who love exploring while staying connected professionally.
• Millennial & Gen X Professionals: Busy individuals seeking unique group experiences without the hassle of planning.
• Adventure Enthusiasts: Explorers who value off-the-beaten-path destinations and immersive activities.
• Entrepreneurs & Innovators: Those intrigued by the intersection of tech, travel, and community and who love going to conferences and personal growth events to meet others. .
• Socially Conscious Travelers: People passionate about sustainability and responsible tourism.

Q: How does Bubbl foster connections and safety in group travel?

Hayley: At Bubbl, trust and safety are paramount. We vet all trips and Leaders to ensure they align with our values of sustainability, community, and responsible tourism. Our platform uses tech to enable trip discovery and coordination while prioritizing user safety, like secure payment systems, verifying IDs,  and traveler ratings and reviews.

Q: What sets Bubbl apart from competitors in the travel space?

Hayley: Bubbl stands out by combining tech innovation with a deep focus on social connectivity. We’re not just a booking platform—we’re a community for travelers who want to build lasting connections through shared adventures. Whether it’s a ski retreat, a yoga getaway, or a corporate retreat, Bubbl makes it easy to find your tribe. Solo travelers love Bubbl because they can dip in and dip out of the solo traveler world just when it’s getting a bit lonely by joining or running a Bubbl.

Q: How do you see technology shaping the future of travel?

Hayley: Technology is transforming travel by making it more accessible, personalized, and connected. From virtual tours to AI-powered itineraries, the possibilities are endless. At Bubbl, we’re leveraging tech to enhance the group travel experience with features like real-time coordination and interest-based matching of people.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to disrupt an industry like travel?

Hayley: You must be 100% passionate about your idea! Identify pain points in the industry and use innovation to address them. Building a startup is never easy, but st