The fifth Idea Platform Competition of the CapsuleT Travel & Hospitality Accelerator recently brought together young entrepreneurs, who through workshops and mentoring sessions, condensed and improve ideas for tourism-related start-ups and innovative solutions in Greece’s all-important tourism and travel industry.
According to Katerina Saridaki, the director of the Accelerator, this year’s start-ups competition recorded a record participation.
The top three teams this year were WeTip, Terminal Trecks, and MyNavlo, each winning cash prizes from Accelerator, such as free services and benefits from the program’s strategic partners, and entry into the 7th Cycle of Acceleration at CapsuleT.
WeTip presented a platform for paying digital gratuity in the hotel sector. Fore instance, guests can scan a QR code, choose their tip amount and leave a review and/or comment about the staff’s service.
Terminal Trecks introduced a solution that transforms layovers between flights into “discovery experiences”. This service is billed as offering personalized tours and activities during layovers, including sightseeing and local food experiences, managing particulars so that air travelers can make the most of their stopover without waiting idly for the next flight.
MyNavlo developed a back-office solution for yacht/pleasure craft charter operators, providing control by integrating their digital tools.
The domestic start-up ecosystem may have experienced a few slow years over the past decade, but experts now see it reaching a value of US$8.2 billion and evolving into a leader in venture funding in southeastern Europe.
According to the “Startups in Greece Venture Financing 2023-2024” report, conducted by Found.ation and EIT Digital, 11 new entries made headlines in 2023, some exceeding 100 million euros in value.
