Future Hospitality Summit launches PitchPoint – a new business-boosting platform dedicated to hospitality brands and tech start-ups — Source: The Bench

Dubai, UAE - The Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World is giving hospitality brands and technology start-ups a unique opportunity to promote their business and connect with investors with PitchPoint, one of a host of new features at FHS World 2025.

Bringing together start-ups and investors seeking to scale innovation in the hospitality and tourism sectors, PitchPoint offers a focused, deal-driven format to create meaningful business opportunities and match new businesses with the right set of investors, reinforcing FHS World’s commitment to driving innovation and entrepreneurship.

This brilliant new matchmaking feature is an enhancement of our traditional start-up competition that, over the years, has recognised and rewarded countless entrepreneurs of today that are shaping the hospitality sector of tomorrow and beyond.

With PitchPoint, start-ups are even more under the spotlight, with their very own platform that brings greater focus, more opportunities, connects them with the right investors and experts, and creates a real impact. It’s one of the many exciting new features at FHS World 2025, and we can’t wait for its debut at Madinat Jumeirah this October. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS World

PitchPoint is available to start-ups that innovate hospitality operations and enhance the guest experience through technology-driven solutions, as well as established brands that plan to enter the Middle East and Africa market within two years. For full details, visit the PitchPoint page on the FHS World website.

MAKING A STAND …

Start-ups also have the chance to go global at FHS World, with their own dedicated exhibition stand, offered at discounted rates.

Open to new businesses in the travel, hospitality and F&B sectors, FHS World start-up stands give entrepreneurs the opportunity to access more than US$1.7 billion worth of business opportunities by getting in front of hundreds of global investors.

To qualify for a stand, businesses must have an annual revenue of less than US$1 million, be in the seed or early-stage funding round, been in operation for under three years and have between 2 and 30 employees.

Find out more and apply for your spot at the start-up section of the FHS World website.

About The Bench

The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change.

Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight.

The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow.

Discover more at thebench.com.

About FHS Saudi Arabia

Dates: 20-22 April 2026

Location: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sponsors: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Investment as Host Sponsors; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Amsa Hospitality, Jabal Omar Development Company, Radisson Hotel Group and Red Sea Group as Strategic Partners; BWH Hotels, ClubMed, IHG, Italia Hospitality, Story Hospitality, The Ascott Limited as Headline Sponsors; Accor, Aleph Hospitality, IHCL, JT + Partners, Knight Frank, Legacy Hotels Holding, Minor Hotels, Quo, Serb Holding Co., Sommet Education, STR and The First Group Hospitality as Sponsors; DAR Engineering, Echelonet Concierge, Melia Hotels International, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Sophos and WhiteWater as Exhibitors.

Anne Bleeker
In2 Consulting
+971 56 603 0886
The Bench