Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch returns with new format

The Global Startup Pitch 2024 is back – this year with a refreshed format intended to both recognize successful mid-scale startups and to discover seed stage, emerging companies.

Now in its third year, the Global Startup Pitch leverages the expertise of WiT, Phocuswright, PhocusWire and industry partners to surface the most innovative technologies impacting travel today. 

Whether your company operates in a specific sector such as hospitality, transportation or tours and activities, or if it is not directly in travel but has applications for this industry, the Global Startup Pitch is your opportunity to gain access to a top-class network of judges, as well as data, insight and exposure to investors and partners and to build relationships within the industry. 

The two new categories for applicants are:

• Seed-up – companies under three years old that have raised no more than $5 million
• Startup – companies between three and eight years old that have raised no more than $10 million

The competition is looking for entrants across all the different categories of travel as well as general tech in these regions:

• Asia/Pacific
• Middle East/Africa
• Europe
• Americas

The deadline to submit a free entry is May 17. All entries will be shared online with the audiences of Northstar Travel Group’s brands for voting, including PhocusWire, Phocuswright, WebinTravel and the Travel Technology Show. That voting, combined with input from a panel of judges, will narrow the list to eight companies for each of the two levels. 

Then in August, those 16 semi-finalists will pitch during a live, online event to a panel of judges that will select six finalists. Those finalists will compete at WiT Singapore, October 14-16 and one will win an opportunity to present at The Phocuswright Conference in Arizona, November 19-21.