Plug and Play, in partnership with United Nations Tourism, has announced the second call for applications for the UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Global Startup Competition, the second call for applications in a series of three startup competitions aimed at increasing sustainability in the tourism sector. The competition launched today at Plug and Play’s Silicon Valley Summit.
This global initiative aims to harness the potential of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality and virtual reality to drive progress in the tourism sector towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Accelerating the SDGs through innovation and technology
The UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Global Startup Competition will highlight the transformative potential of innovative solutions to propel the tourism sector towards recovery and empower it to play a pivotal role in achieving the global goals outlined in Agenda 2030. The initiative invites startups from around the world to lead the change in tourism towards a sustainable and inclusive future that is in line with global aspirations for a better world.
UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said: “We are at the dawn of a new era of tourism where innovation is key. The global smart tourism market is projected to reach $126,889 million by 2033, growing 16% since 2023, and let’s not forget that 2.2% of global venture capital is flowing into tourism and technology start-ups. This new era of tourism is shaped and led by the transformative power of artificial intelligence. The future of tourism is here and it is intelligent, efficient and sustainable.”
Benefits for Participants
The competition invites early stage and Series A startups to apply by July 31. Successful applicants will receive the following benefits:
Accommodation and transport for the presentation at the UN Tourism Tech Adventures A two-month acceleration programme at SPARK, Les Roches’ innovation sphere, held on both the Marbella and Crans-Montana campuses Membership of the UN Tourism Innovation Network Integration into the Plug & Play ecosystem and participation in the annual summit Access to a select mentorship programme Scholarships from the UN Tourism Academy Possibility of pilot project collaboration with private sector partners and institutions Participation in the Spanish Prize Ambassador programme, supported by the Carolina Foundation Opportunities for pilot project collaboration with private sector partners and institutions Access to more than 90 venture capitalists
Selection and Evaluation Criteria
The competition is open to startups from around the world, spanning multiple industries and focusing on scalable business models with innovation, sustainability and international growth potential. Participating startups will be assessed based on their contribution to the selected SDGs, ease of value capture from collaboration, potential business impact, product and technology maturity, team and organizational structure, and partnership readiness.
The role of Plug & Play in identifying and scouting startups
Plug and Play’s role in the competition is to source and scout startups for initiatives such as the United Nations Tourism Artificial Intelligence Global Startup Competition, which aims to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through technology. As a global innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, and investors, Plug and Play is committed to driving technological advancement and innovation across more than 25 industries. The initiative aims to foster a collaborative ecosystem for sustainable and inclusive innovation across the world.
Interested potential participants can apply for the call on the following page: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/un-tourism-artificial-intelligence-global-startup-competition/.
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