Participate in the HFTP Entrepreneur 20X Start-up Pitch Competitions in 2019

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), is currently accepting applications for participants and mentors for its Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) competitions in 2019. The start-up pitch competition for the most innovative, breakout hospitality technologies will be held twice next year: at HITEC Europe on April 9 and at HITEC Minneapolis on June 17. Those interested in either competing or volunteering as a mentor can apply via the E20X website.

E20X competing companies will be selected from the field of applicants, who will then pitch their business concepts to a panel of expert judges as well as an audience of HITEC attendees and exhibitors. Prior to the pitching portion of the competition, participants will have the opportunity to meet with a team of mentors who will lend insights, expertise and guidance. The E20X judges' panel will determine the winner of the grand prize, the E20X Judges' Choice Award. Winners will be awarded €2,500 EUR at HITEC Europe and $5,000 USD at HITEC Minneapolis.

Following the pitch competition, participating companies are able to meet with HITEC attendees to demonstrate their technology in a specially appointed area at the event. Attendees are given a chance to vote for their favorite and select their preferred pitcher to receive the People's Choice award, presented at the conclusion of HITEC.

E20X mentor opportunities are available to industry professionals who would like to volunteer and share their knowledge with participants the day of the competition. Day-of mentors will meet face-to-face with participants in a series of pre-booked meetups hours before the E20X competition takes place sharing their experience, answering questions and making invaluable connections.

"Being an entrepreneur, running your own business, can be challenging in the sense that you are solely making decisions without the guidance of feedback," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. "HFTP's Entrepreneur 20X event gives startups the opportunity to showcase their products, services and ideas in front of a global network of industry peers including investors, c-level experts and a judges' panel that is guaranteed to serve as a steppingstone on your path to success."

The presenter application deadline for E20X Europe is February 9, 2019 with a €150 fee. The presenter application deadline for E20X Minneapolis is April 1, 2019 with a $250 USD fee.

Coming next month is the third of three HITECs in 2018: HITEC Dubai on December 5-6, 2018 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. HITEC Europe is April 9-11, 2019 at the Palau de Congressos in Palma, Mallorca, Spain. HITEC Minneapolis is June 17-20, 2019 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. For more information about HFTP's international events, visit www.hftp.org and www.hitec.org or contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected].

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in the EU and Middle East. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

Millicent Gustafson
HFTP Board & Special Projects Liaison
+1 (512) 220-6449
HFTP