Calling all online travel start-ups
Top travel entrepreneurs meet with start-ups in San Francisco to share the secrets to success
Dozens of start-ups will be meeting in San Francisco, March 23rd at EyeforTravel's Start-up Village, to get the advice, contacts and potentially the investment they need to succeed. The success of sites like Airbnb, Uber and HotelTonight is fueling a new wave of online travel start—ups set to take flight in 2015.
Mobile, data, technology and social media are just some of the factors transforming the way we purchase travel – providing an exciting opportunity for start-ups and solutions providers to get a foothold in this billion dollar industry.
But for every travel start-up that succeeds, hundreds (if not thousands) fail. What are the secrets to success? What can start-ups learn from those who have boldly gone before them? What do investors really see value in?
EyeforTravel's Start-up Village will kick off with a number of 'bootcamp' style sessions. Firstly, audience members will have the opportunity to quiz North America's top travel entrepreneurs including Erik Blachford, Former President & CEO, Expedia. The entrepreneurs will be on-hand to share the mistakes to avoid as well as share vital tips to success.
One of the most difficult stages to go through as a start-up is looking to attract start-up capital. The open discussion format will allow entrepreneurs, experts and investors to share where they feel start-ups go wrong in their approach to seeking investment.
"Rapid technological change means it's an exciting time for start-ups in the online travel space. But even the best ideas can fail if the people behind them don't get the right advice and meet the right contacts." says Gina Baillie, GM, EyeforTravel.
"EyeforTravel's Start-up Village is an affordable way for travel start-ups to get a foothold in the cut-throat online travel industry," continued Baillie.
Morning interactive sessions will be followed by EyeforTravel's Start-up Awards 2015 competition. Adhering to stringent judging criteria, a selection of start-ups will battle it out to win 'Best Travel Start-up 2015'.
Packed with networking opportunities, the EyeforTravel Start-up Village is open to start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs, and all other interested parties to attend. Entrance passes to the event can be purchased here.
EyeforTravel's Start-up Awards are open to all online travel start-ups who started their company after June 2011 and have less than $2.5 million in financing. All entries must be received by March 6th, 2015. Click here to find out more.
About Reuters Events
Reuters Events is a community where the world’s top online travel brands – from hotels to airlines, online travel agents, cruise, car hire firms and more – come to meet to drive forward growth and innovation in the industry.
We know that working in the turbulent online travel industry is as exciting as it is challenging. In this constantly evolving market place, we appreciate that keeping up with the pace of change can be tough, not to mention time consuming. You need the right information, contacts and strategic insight to succeed.
Established in 1997, by Tim Gunstone, we offer a diverse product portfolio including industry analysis, insights, research, webinars, reports and conferences to suit the needs of our clients.
Our clients read as a who’s who of online travel. From major hotel brands to new startups, we help our 80,000 strong customer base make better decisions, build better brands, close the most lucrative deals and ultimately sell more of their product. After all, increasing travel brand profit margins in the cutthroat travel industry is the name of the game!
No other online travel intelligence provider has been charting the growth of online travel as long as we have. We were here at the inception of online travel and we know the industry inside out. What’s more, we’re a small, friendly team. Forget impersonal hierarchies, we like to get to know our customers and work towards their exact needs.
