aermes.ai

After a lot of speculation we've applied to Y Combinator for 2026, we are eager to learn whatever comes out of this process. Fingers crossed 🤞 #yc #2026 #aermes

When we travel, we don’t experience places as isolated points on a map. We experience flow. The train ride that set the mood. The café you didn’t plan for but still remember. The long walk back at night that somehow became the highlight of the day. Yet almost every travel product today forces journeys into rigid structures, such as destinations, bookings, lists, content optimized for views instead of memories. with aermes, we attempt to change that. We’ve been quiet here for a long time. Not because nothing was happening — but because we needed time to understand what we were really building. aermes started as a question we couldn’t shake: Why does travel, something so personal and emotional, get reduced to checklists, reels, and itineraries? At aermes, we are building a space where journeys are captured the way humans actually live them, as a sequence of moments that naturally form stops, and stops that together become a story. It’s not about “where did you go?” It’s about how the journey unfolded. We’ve spent months heads-down — questioning assumptions, throwing away early versions, and rebuilding from first principles. Not chasing growth. Not chasing trends. Just trying to get the experience right. It’s still early. There’s a lot more to build. But it finally feels honest enough, human enough, and real enough to share. We’ll be releasing a sneak peek this 02/14/2026 evening at 6:00 PM PST — just a glimpse into how we’re thinking about journeys. We’ll start sharing more about what we’re learning — the product, the philosophy, and the people this is for. This is aermes. And this is just the beginning. Follow us for more to learn about opportunities with the team and what we are building.

The war for talent in the startup ecosystem is real! While shiny perks are nice, at Aermes, we've found that the best talent is drawn by something deeper. It's about offering an environment where individuals can truly thrive and make a tangible impact. Here's what we believe truly sets us apart for top-tier professionals: Meaningful Impact from Day One: We empower our team members to take ownership and see the direct results of their work. There's no waiting period to contribute; from their first day, new hires are solving critical problems and shaping the future of travel tech. This sense of purpose is a powerful motivator. Unparalleled Growth & Learning: Our fast-paced, dynamic environment is a continuous learning ground. We encourage cross-functional collaboration, provide access to new technologies, and offer challenges that stretch skills. For ambitious professionals, this opportunity for rapid personal and professional development is a huge draw. A Culture of Trust and Autonomy: We hire smart, driven people and then trust them to do their best work. We foster an environment of psychological safety where ideas are openly shared, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and individuals have the autonomy to innovate. This empowers our team to unleash their full potential. It's not just about what we offer, but the opportunity to build something significant together. What factors matter most to you when considering your next career move? #TalentAcquisition #StartupCulture #Hiring #CareerGrowth #Innovation

In the startup world, the pursuit of perfection can be the enemy of progress. At Aermes, we firmly believe in the power of iteration. It's not about cutting corners; it's about building, learning, and continuously improving. Here's why this mindset is critical for us: Accelerated Learning Cycles: By releasing an initial version (an MVP) and gathering real-world feedback, we learn infinitely faster than we would by chasing an elusive "perfect" product in isolation. This rapid feedback loop allows us to validate assumptions and course-correct quickly. Customer-Centric Development: Our users aren't just telling us what they think they want; they're showing us how they actually use our product. This iterative approach ensures that every subsequent version is more aligned with their needs, leading to a product that truly solves their problems. Staying Agile in a Dynamic Market: The market doesn't wait. By embracing iteration, we remain nimble and responsive to shifts in technology, competition, or user preferences. It allows us to adapt and innovate continuously, rather than getting bogged down by lengthy development cycles. "Done is better than perfect" doesn't mean sacrificing quality. It means prioritizing tangible progress and relentless learning. What's your favorite example of a product that benefited from strong iteration? #StartupLife #ProductDevelopment #Agile #Iteration #GrowthMindset

Going from a scrappy startup to a rapidly growing company is a thrilling ride, but it's not without its bumps. At Aermes, we're navigating the exciting, sometimes challenging, waters of scaling. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and we're learning every day. Here are some of the key lessons we're embracing as we scale: Maintaining Culture While Growing: As we add more incredible people, preserving our unique startup culture is paramount. We're investing in onboarding, mentorship, and continuous communication to ensure our core values remain strong, even as our team expands. Evolving Processes, Not Entangling Them: What worked for 10 people doesn't work for 100. We're constantly reviewing and optimizing our processes for efficiency, without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. The goal is to streamline, not stifle, agility. Balancing Growth with Sustainability: Rapid growth is exciting, but sustainable growth is key. We're focused on building solid foundations, investing in our infrastructure, and ensuring that every new step forward is a well-considered one that sets us up for long-term success. Scaling is a testament to our team's hard work and our product's impact. We're embracing the challenges and celebrating every milestone along the way! What are your biggest lessons learned from scaling a business or team? #Scaling #StartupGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #Leadership #TeamBuilding

At Aermes, we believe that building a diverse and inclusive team isn't just the right thing to do; it's a strategic imperative that directly impacts our innovation and success. A tapestry of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences is our greatest asset. Here's why diversity is so vital for us: Driving Innovation & Creativity: When you bring together people from different walks of life, with varied ways of thinking, you get a richer pool of ideas. Diverse teams are proven to be more innovative, capable of solving complex problems more effectively, and less prone to groupthink. This translates directly into better products and services for our diverse user base. Better Understanding of Our Customers: Our customers are not monolithic. By having a team that reflects the diversity of the world, we gain deeper empathy and understanding of various user needs, pain points, and cultural nuances. This allows us to build products that resonate more broadly and genuinely serve a wider audience. Fostering a Richer, More Inclusive Culture: A diverse team enriches our workplace environment. It promotes open-mindedness, encourages different communication styles, and builds a culture where everyone feels they belong and can bring their authentic selves to work. This makes our team stronger, more resilient, and ultimately, happier. We're committed to building a team where every voice is heard and valued. It's how we build a better product and a better company. What are your thoughts on fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace? #DiversityAndInclusion #StartupCulture #TeamBuilding #Innovation #DEI

In today's competitive landscape, a great product isn't enough. It needs to be intuitive, delightful, and genuinely helpful. At Aermes, we don't view User Experience (UX) as just one part of the product; it's the heartbeat of everything we build. Here's why UX is paramount for us: Solving Real Problems, Seamlessly: Great UX isn't just about aesthetics; it's about deeply understanding our users' needs and designing solutions that feel natural and effortless. We spend countless hours on user research, testing, and feedback loops to ensure our product genuinely solves pain points without adding complexity. Driving Adoption & Retention: In a world of endless options, ease of use and a positive interaction are key differentiators. A delightful UX drives initial adoption and, more importantly, fosters long-term loyalty and reduces churn. Our goal is to make our users' lives easier and more enjoyable every time they interact with our travel platform. Building Trust & Credibility: A well-designed, reliable user experience builds immense trust. It signals professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality. Conversely, a poor UX can erode trust quickly. For us, a consistent, high-quality UX is fundamental to our brand's credibility. UX isn't an afterthought; it's woven into every stage of our development process. It's how we ensure our product truly resonates with our users. What's an app or product that you think has exceptional UX? #UXDesign #CustomerExperience #ProductDesign #StartupLife #UserCentric

In today's interconnected world, a great product isn't enough. People crave connection, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging. At Aermes, we're not just building another AI travel app; we're passionately building a community around it. Here's why community is so vital to our mission: Unlocking User-Generated Value: Our community members are often our biggest advocates and innovators. They share tips, offer support to new users, and provide invaluable feedback that helps us make our product even better. This organic collaboration enriches the entire ecosystem. Fostering Loyalty & Advocacy: When users feel part of something bigger than just a transaction, their loyalty deepens. A strong community transforms users into evangelists who champion our product and spread the word organically, which is incredibly powerful for growth. Gathering Authentic Insights: A vibrant community provides a direct line to our users' minds. We gain deeper insights into their pain points, aspirations, and how they truly use our product. This authentic feedback loop is invaluable for product development and strategic direction. Building community is an ongoing journey of listening, engaging, and empowering. It's about creating a space where everyone feels heard and valued. What's a community that you're proud to be a part of? #CommunityBuilding #CustomerEngagement #StartupLife #UserExperience #BrandBuilding

In a world that often praises broad appeal, we at Aermes have taken a different approach: we've embraced the power of the niche. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, we're dedicated to being the absolute best for a specific audience. Here's why focusing on a niche has been our strategic advantage: Deep Customer Understanding: By serving a specific segment of solo and group travelers, we can achieve an unparalleled understanding of their unique challenges, needs, and workflows. This allows us to build solutions that truly resonate. Building a Stronger Product-Market Fit: When you know exactly who you're serving, you can design a product that perfectly aligns with their requirements. This focused approach leads to a stronger product-market fit, reducing churn and increasing customer satisfaction. Efficient Marketing & Brand Authority: It's far easier and more cost-effective to market directly to a well-defined audience. Furthermore, by becoming the go-to solution for our niche, we establish strong brand authority and trust within that specific community. While it might seem counterintuitive, our niche focus allows us to make a greater impact and build a more sustainable business. Sometimes, less is truly more. Are you a fan of niche products or broad solutions? Why? #NicheMarket #StartupStrategy #ProductMarketFit #MarketingStrategy #Entrepreneurship

In the startup world, the spotlight often shines on massive funding rounds. But at Aermes, we took a different route: bootstrapping. It's been an incredibly challenging, yet uniquely rewarding, journey that has deeply shaped who we are. Here's why bootstrapping has been our strategic advantage: Unwavering Focus on Profitability & Customers: Without external investor pressures, our sole focus has been on building a sustainable business by delivering exceptional value to our customers. This forces incredible discipline and ensures every decision directly contributes to our long-term viability. Complete Autonomy & Vision Control: We have full control over our vision and product roadmap. There's no dilution of our founding principles or external influence on our strategic direction. This allows us to build the company exactly as we envision it, aligned with our core values. Creative Problem-Solving & Resourcefulness: Bootstrapping demands extreme resourcefulness. Every dollar counts, pushing us to innovate with lean solutions, optimize processes, and find creative ways to achieve our goals. This mindset has fostered a culture of efficiency and ingenuity that continues to benefit us. Bootstrapping isn't for everyone, but for us, it's been the path to building a truly resilient and customer-focused company. What are your thoughts on the bootstrapping vs. funding debate for startups? #Bootstrapped #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #SustainableGrowth #BusinessStrategy