Munich – 196+ forum Munich and Hospitality Pioneers, in cooperation with GIRA, will be presenting the 7th edition of the “Hospitality UPGRADE Award”to start-ups which apply fresh ideas to ensure innovation in the hospitality sector. From planning the hotel property through to the individual guest experience, the focus is on forward-looking solutions which are significant to the entire value chain.
Start-ups were eligible to take part which were founded within the past five years, were able to demonstrate a scalable business model, and whose market activities were innovative and growth orientated.
An advisory board made up of 15 people, chaired by Christian Fiedler, founder of Hospitality Pioneers, discussed all the applications at the beginning of September, and reached a selection from a large number of business ideas. The advisory board has selected the following finalists (in alphabetical order) from 30 applications, and they will be competing against one another for the award on 9 October on the pitch stage at the 196+ forum Munich at the Bayerischer Hof:
- Delicious Data : Uses AI and automation to reduce food waste in the food sector, in order thus to improve sustainability in the F&B and catering industry.
- Fahrrad-Hotels : The platform offers suitable accommodation, route planners and cool extras for cycle tours in Europe, making it easier for leisure cyclists to plan their trips.
- turn of beauty : What about sustainable showering? Using smart dosing devices and natural shower balls for an environmental-friendly experience – and without any microplastics
- Whispers : With an AI co-pilot and data-based insights for smarter hotel controlling that enables decisions to be taken to achieve better results
- Worcay: The matching platform that connects travel communities with companies that are looking for staff – perfect for anyone who wants to travel cheaply and is looking for a temporary job.
The members of this year’s advisory board are
- Jannik De Winter, PT1
- Madlen Dietrich, Werner-von-Siemens Centre
- Petra Emmerlich, Scandic Hotels
- Wolfgang Gattringer, Fairmas
- Harro Grimmer, ProjektPuls
- Olga Heuser, DialogShift
- Andreas Martin, hotelforum
- Joe Mezger, GlobalPoints Network
- Nik Riesmeier, Founders Foundation
- Henning Schneekloth-Plöger, Lindner Hotels
- Tobias Siegel, PKF hospitality group
- Anika Tammling, Union Investment Real Estate
- Patrick Theis, Drees & Sommer
- Holger Tielesch, Gira
- Hilda K. R. Weit, little BIG hotels
This is what two of the members of the advisory board say about the finalists
Petra Emmerlich, Scandic Hotels: It is impressive to see how innovatively AI and sustainability have been thought through and developed in the projects that were submitted. This is a remarkable demonstration that it is possible to successfully combine being environmentally friendly and making business models successful.
Jannik De Winter, PT1: In addition to many start-ups which are addressing sustainability and the potential for optimisation in the operation of a hotel, we also saw interesting business ideas that dealt with the real estate properties themselves. Among other things, this involved energy supply and consumption, a topic that is already attracting a great deal of attention in the residential property sector and is now also becoming more and more relevant for commercial real estate properties.
All the finalists will get to attend the entire 196+ forum Munich programme, including the gala evening and they will also benefit from a place in the exhibitor area. The PKF hospitality group will be inviting all the finalists to network with industry representatives in the Seehaus restaurant in Munich on the evening before, on 8 October. In addition, a speed dating event with ten experts from the hotel and property industry will be arranged and Hospitality Pioneers will publish podcasts with all five finalists.
More information about 196+ forum Munich
196+ forum Munich is a European Hotel Development Conference and has been the annual networking feature in the autumn when it comes to hotel properties since 2002. As a specialist conference, 196+ forum Munich offers a highly-qualified communication platform for the hotel industry, with a varied stage programme and diverse networking formats, as well as an established start-up pitch for the “Hospitality UPGRADE Award” competition. It will culminate in the presentation of the “Hotel Property Award” as part of the gala evening. 2024’s 196+ forum Munich will be held on 9 October, once more at the traditional Bavarian venue, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, followed by “Walk & Talk” tours taking place on 10 October, visiting special places that have a connection with hospitality in central Munich. More information is available at https://196plus.com/
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