Join the 2nd UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition
Be the next game changer in tourism. Scale your startup.
For the second straight year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is running the world’s largest startup competition in tourism boosted by wakalua, the global tourism innovation hub.
Together with our corporate partners we want you to tackle the core concepts of travel shaping the sectors future. Beat your competition with the most disruptive, innovative and sustainable solution and become the next game changer in tourism.
Deep Tech: Location & Geolocation Data
Smart Mobility
Rural Development
Disruptive Hospitality
Smart Destinations
UNWTO Special Award for Sustainability
UNWTO will give a special award to the most sustainable startup solution.
THE AWARDS
Pitch & Connect
Be one of the top 3 challenge finalists to pitch in front of investors, mentors, leading corporates and international tourism stakeholders during the Grand Finals – one per corporate challenge – in Madrid, Spain, on 21 January 2020.
Network
Gain a fully sponsored trip and free access to exclusive networking opportunities with tourism leaders and global tourism stakeholders during the Madrid International Tourism Trade Fair 22-26 January 2020 (FITUR).
Pilot & Mentorship
As a winner you will have the opportunity to design a pilot project with the corporate leading your challenge and receive world class mentorship.
Pilot & Scale-up
Win the special award on Sustainability and run a pilot with Globalia, leading tourism corporation in Spain and Latin America, including a 6-week scale-up programme at the wakalua hub in Madrid, Spain.
We are targeting Startups that:
- Both for-profit and non-profit projects
- Are in the Early Stage or Series A Stage
- Are innovative in nature and provide value-added and sustainable solutions for the tourism sector
- Have potential for scalability and a vision to grow internationally
- Have a business plan
SCHEDULE
The competition timeline
12
September
2019
Applications open
15
November
2019
Applications close
02
December
2019
Two-week round of online interviews with selected startups.
16
December
2019
Announcement finalists.
21
January
2020
5 Grand finals, one per challenge, in Madrid, Spain.
About the UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition