Introduction to the Competition
Nineteen travel tech startups have been chosen as finalists for the prestigious 2025 Global Startup Pitch. In its fourth year, this competition, co-hosted by WiT and Phocuswright, aims to highlight innovative minds in early-stage travel technology. This year’s competition brings the excitement of in-person presentations back, as the finalists will showcase their ideas on June 10, 2025, at Phocuswright Europe.
Support and Structure
The Global Startup Pitch Competition is backed by American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a strategic partner in innovation with Phocuswright. Last year’s virtual format has transformed into a live stage event, allowing for direct interaction among participants, judges, and the audience.
Selection Process
A diverse panel of judges meticulously selected these startups from an impressive pool of nearly 200 entries. This global competition seeks the brightest minds across four distinct regions: APAC, North America, Europe, and Emerging Markets. Additionally, a Wildcards category has been introduced to foster innovative ideas that address complex challenges and forward-thinking opportunities within the travel sector.
Categories and Definitions
Participants will compete in two categories: Seed Stage and Scale Up Startups. Here’s how they are classified:
- Seed Up: Startups under three years old that have raised no more than US$5 million.
- Scale Up: Startups between three to eight years old that have raised up to US$10 million.
Each category will see Seedups competing against Seedups and Scaleups against Scaleups. Winners from each region will be announced at Phocuswright Europe. Ultimately, nine winning startups will present their ideas at WiT Singapore, from October 6-8, where audience votes will designate the favorites in both Seedup and Scaleup categories. The winners will also be acknowledged at The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, set for November 18-20.
Finalists by Region
Below is the list of finalists in various categories:
APAC Finalists
- Plandora (Seedup)
- Replyr (Seedup)
- Loyalty Status Co. (Scaleup)
- Zentrum (Scaleup)
Europe Finalists
- ImpersonAlly (Seedup)
- SnapIQ (Seedup)
- Arcube (Scaleup)
- Tryp (Scaleup)
North America Finalists
- Levee (Seedup)
- Traversing.ai (Seedup)
- Sion (Scaleup)
- PassiveBolt (Scaleup)
Emerging Markets Finalists
- Kijani Supplies (Seedup)
- Tuki-Travel (Seedup)
- Buzz (Scaleup)
- Turpal (Scaleup)
Wildcards Finalists
- Videreo (Seedup)
- Toraru (Scaleup)
- Me Protocol (Scaleup)
Award Incentives
The winners from the APAC region will benefit from a complimentary ASEAN Traveller Pass provided by AirAsia MOVE, giving them access to nine different countries in Southeast Asia, including highlights such as Malaysia and Thailand. Additionally, one lucky winner will receive a free strategic consulting session with Travel Again Advisory, enhancing their growth potential in the travel tech sector.
Encouraging Innovation
The Global Startup Pitch competition stands as a testament to Phocuswright and WiT’s commitment to nurturing groundbreaking innovations. This initiative is complemented by various programs aimed at stimulating startup contributions to the travel technology landscape, such as WiT Bootcamps and the Phocuswright Startup Program.
Quotes from Organizers
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our global judges who dedicated their time and expertise in selecting these remarkable finalists,” expressed Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of WiT. “Their commitment to innovation paralleled our passion for fostering new voices in the travel tech community.”
“This year’s applicant feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” stated Pete Comeau, managing director of Phocuswright. “We experienced a remarkable diversity of entries across all participating regions. This signaled that our global competition truly mirrors the evolving startup ecosystem in travel technology.”
Slutsats
The anticipation surrounding the 2025 Global Startup Pitch highlights the continuous growth and evolution within the travel sector. These pioneering startups are set to drive innovation that could reshape travel experiences worldwide. From interacting with industry experts to exploring remarkable developments, future travel enthusiasts can indeed look forward to a plethora of engaging offerings.
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