The KUBE mantra is to incubate and accelerate start-ups in hospitality. We understand that in order to affect substantive change we need to reach a tipping point for the growth of start-ups. In technology, we are witnessing impressive growth in startups, meanwhile, for hospitality, we're not seeing that same growth.

So our question to you is: "How do we encourage a start-up culture in hospitality?"

Lyle  Worthington
Lyle Worthington
Technology Executive and Consultant & Past President of HFTP Global
Jacqueline Sonnabend
Jacqueline Sonnabend
Consultant/ Executive Coach at Ignite LLP
Michael Levie
Michael Levie
Hospitality Changemaker and Co-Founder of citizenM
Jing Zhu
Jing Zhu
Founder and Chairperson at China Hospitality Technology Alliance(CHTA)
Thierry Loué
Thierry Loué
Board Member / Senior Business Advisor 10X Partner
David Keen
David Keen
Co-Founder at KUBE Ventures
Andrew Fay
Andrew Fay
President, Co-founder at The Gettys Group Companies
Henk den Hollander
Henk den Hollander
CEO at CIRE Invest

In a fast-rapidly changing world, an open-minded culture towards innovations and changes is key to survival. In my opinion, the most important issue to encourage a start-up culture is a safe environment. People should be feeling safe and free to do new things without the fear of making mistakes. That requires a non-hierarchy structure and a strong leadership where everybody can contribute from their own strengths. This also requires the willingness to learn from each other and all the mistakes. This requires a different kind of attitude in relation to the traditional top-down thinking that the hospitality industry is used to.

Wolfgang M. Neumann
Wolfgang M. Neumann
Founder at Neumann Hospitality

Our great industry is lagging behind in innovation and needs to fully embrace sustainability and digitalisation across the entire value chain. We need to get out of our comfort zone, make quantum steps and dare to try out new ways. Start-ups are the incubators and need to get the financial backing, organisational freedom, and time to challenge the boundaries. The ideas are there, the young generation is eager to make their mark and contributions - let's give them the tools to get to work!