WIT will hold a startup pitch competition, and winners will be able to join the Travelport Labs Accelerator Programme and clinch US$30K in funding
The travel tech startup space in Asia has significant growth in the past few years with no sign of a let-up.
According to Phocuswright, between 2005 and 2009, 25 per cent of global travel tech startup funding went to startups in APAC; in 2015, it was 51 per cent.
One of the key players spurring this boost is Asia-based travel tech portal WebInTravel (WIT) — a subsidiary of the Northstar Travel Group. Every year since 2005, WIT holds a conference connecting key travel tech players in the region. It also holds a startup pitch contest; among its more successful participants include travel activities platform booking platform Voyagin (acquired by Rakuten) and BeMyGuest, as well as travel portal TripZilla.
This October, WIT will be partnering with travel tech accelerator Travelport Labs for the WIT Startup Pitch competition held this October from the 17th to 19th at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
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Startups who win a spot in the Travelport Labs Accelerator programme will also receive US$20,000 in seed funding from the accelerator.
“At Travelport, we’re serious about redefining travel commerce – and we know there are very talented travel startup teams out there who are looking to do similar things. By working with these startups we believe they have a better chance to reach customers, achieve growth, and realise our mutual goals of having a positive impact on the travel commerce landscape,” said Nathan Bobbin, Senior Director, Product Innovation for Travelport, in a press statement.
Besides seed funding, the startups will undergo a four-month training under the tutelage of experienced entrepreneurs and leverage on Travelport’s open platform and products.
The competition to travel tech startups across the globe with an interest in Asia markets. The deadline for entries is August 9. Shortlisted startups will pitch live at the WIT Bootcamp on October 17 and finalists will go on to the Grand Finals on October 19.
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Image Credit: Travelport
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