For #petparents, flying with furry family members often means one stressful trade-off: either cram a pet into a tiny carrier under the seat or send them off to the unknown of the cargo hold. RetrievAir set out to change that—and after a recent appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, the pet-first aviation service just got a major boost from one of the show’s guest sharks: Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and head of venture capital firm Seven Seven Six.
Based in Arlington, TX, RetrievAir’s big break came after stepping onto the Shark Tank stage, where Ohanian and his team at Seven Seven Six officially committed to investing in the company. What makes RetrievAir stand out? It’s a service built entirely around pets—no crates, no cargo holds, just furry companions sitting side-by-side with their owners in the cabin. For anyone who’s ever worried about their pet’s comfort (or safety) mid-flight, it’s a game-changer.
For RetrievAir co-founder and CEO Benton Miller, the moment was about more than just funding—it was personal. “Getting to be on Shark Tank was a dream come true, and we’re so grateful Alexis and Seven Seven Six believe in what we’re building,” Miller said. “My dad and I used to watch the show together all the time. He loved how it encouraged young entrepreneurs to chase their goals. Now that he’s no longer here, being able to stand in that tank as an entrepreneur and walk away with a deal? It means more than I can put into words. I know he’d be proud.”
Fellow co-founder Mark Williams—who brings deep aviation expertise to the team—echoed that excitement, highlighting what the investment will mean for growth. “Working with Alexis and his team at Seven Seven Six has been fantastic. Their support is going to help us expand RetrievAir to even more destinations across North America,” Williams said. He also took a moment to thank the folks behind the scenes: “We owe a big thank you to ABC and Sony Pictures Television for giving us this incredible opportunity.”
Ohanian, a self-described pet parent to two dogs (one weighing in at 100lbs), said he immediately connected with RetrievAir’s mission. “When Benton and Mark pitched their idea for a better way to travel with pets, I got it right away—my own dogs are part of the family, and flying with them shouldn’t be a hassle,” Ohanian explained. “Seven Seven Six is excited to help bring RetrievAir to anyone who wants to share more life moments with their pets. Whether your dog is big or small, flying comfortably with them shouldn’t be a luxury.”
The good news doesn’t stop at the investment, either. RetrievAir just announced it’s adding four highly requested new destinations to its lineup. Starting February 6, 2026, pet parents can book flights to and from Atlanta, GA (FTY), Manassas, VA (MNZ), Oakland, CA (OAK), and Scottsdale, AZ (SDL)—and tickets for those routes are on sale now.
Looking ahead, Miller says the team’s focus remains on their core goal: putting pets first. “Mark and I started RetrievAir to make air travel easier for dogs and cats across the U.S.—no more crates, no more cargo holds,” he said. “With Seven Seven Six’s support, we can’t wait to add even more destinations and routes to make our service better for every pet and their parent.”
About RetrievAir
RetrievAir’s mission is simple: make air travel simple, calm, and stress-free for both pets and their humans. Inspired by the loyalty and adventurous spirit of retrievers, the company has built a fully pet-centric flying experience—from booking your flight to touching down—where every pet rides in the cabin, families stay together, and every trip feels like freedom.
About Seven Seven Six
Founded in 2020 by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Seven Seven Six is an early-stage venture capital firm with over $1.1 billion in assets under management. At its core, it’s a technology company (powered by its operating system, Cerebro) that invests in the intersection of great products and people. The firm backs startups across a wide range of sectors, including the creator economy, space tech, climate solutions, sports, fintech, web3, healthcare, collectibles, and AI.
Source:Pets+ Mag