Eighteen startup from six
regions around the world have advanced to the second round of the first
Phocuswright/WebinTravel Global Startup Pitch event.
The new event is the latest effort
from the two companies, both part of Northstar Travel Group, to identify startups
that are innovating and propelling the travel industry forward.
Thirty startups, five from each
of six regions – Asia Pacific, India, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, United States/Canada and Latin America – competed Wednesday and
Thursday in virtual events tailored to each time zone.
Separate panels of judges for
each region selected three startups from each region to move on to the
semifinal round, which will take place in a virtual format August 25.
Startups advancing
to the next round are:
- Asia Pacific: Worklounge, Trambellir, Jiang You Just Trip
- India: Vervotech, Tripshifu, Getout Travel System
- Middle East and Africa: UpStay, Welcome to the World, Away to Africa
- Europe: Mobee International, Doinn, 123compare.me
- Latin American: Local Adventures, Pinguim, iFriend
- U.S./Canada: Washbnb, Wheel the World, Mogul Hospitality
From this group of 18, six
finalists will be selected to compete in person in the Grand Finals during WiT Singapore,
October 3 to 5.
The winner of the
Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch will have the opportunity to present
during The Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in November.
“Entrepreneurs
thrive during times of crisis, and tomorrow’s travel tech leaders are
incubating products and solutions today during this challenging time,” says Pete
Comeau, managing director at Phocuswright.
“Phocuswright is thrilled to partner with WiT to uncover the most
promising pre-funded, early stage companies who are poised to lead our industry
through the recovery and beyond, helping us emerge as a stronger, bolder and
better industry.”
Says Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of WiT, “It is time to unite around innovation, which will underpin a stronger and better travel recovery.”
At
the close of the first day of competition on Wednesday, Comeau led a discussion
with Laura Houldsworth, managing director Asia Pacific at Booking.com, and Ronnie
Varghese, vice president of digital product at Seera Group, about the travel startup
landscape and future outlook.
Watch
the full discussion below.