Innovations range from in-destination apps to content marketing tools and white label payment solutions • Five finalists will be chosen to enter Disrupt Awards • Voting opens 2nd February  
 

10 of Europe’s most disruptive tech start-ups have been selected to showcase their innovations to 6000+ attendees as part of Travel Technology Europe’s Disrupt Launchpad. 

Providing show attendees with a glimpse into the future, the ambitious start-ups were shortlisted from a total of 20 applicants and chosen for their potential to help buyers source the latest industry innovations as well as help make travellers’ lives easier. 

All shortlisted companies have been operating for three years or less and bring with them a range of exciting new products and services, from in-destination apps, to payment solutions and personalisation tools for the trade. 

“Discovering unique and potentially groundbreaking new solutions for the travel industry is what the Disrupt Launchpad is all about,” says David Chapple, Travel Technology Europe group event director.  

“These start-ups were chosen due to their demonstrable ability to think outside the box and identify answers to age-old problems that have not been seen before. We’re looking forward to seeing how their innovative solutions will drive new business, streamline processes and help travel brands stay one step ahead of the competition.”. 

The tech entrepreneurs making their debut at the Launchpad are: 

 

TripX Tech 

 

With experiential travel the new way to holiday, TripX technology enables businesses to offer add on custom made tours, activities and extras through mobile selling platforms. TripX makes it easier and cost effective to reach out to customers and offer them the additional services they have been crying out for. www.tripx.tech 

 

Hopper Video 

 

A new software platform that enables users to create highly personalised and data-driven video content, Hopper sends a striking personalised email to prospects and nurtures them 

with highly relevant video content, before converting the sale with a final interactive ‘push’. www.hoppervideo.com 

Grapevine 

A travel discovery platform that aggregates the best location-based content (articles, blogs, videos) and combines it with recommendations from friends and influencers using a unique combination of AI and social media integrations. www.grapevine.travel 

 

Wanda Maps 

 

 

A community travel planning tool that enables users to build personalised trip itineraries that are stored within the traveller community - giving valuable data to other travellers within their niche and to the travel industry as a whole. Their maps offer an affordable way for local businesses to reach travellers through hyper targeted advertising/customer matching and increased visibility via traveller pins. http://wandamaps.com 

 

Travel Ledger 

 

Built on Blockchain technology, Travel Ledger replaces the currently fragmented billing, reconciliation and settlement processes with a standardised process to make it fast, easy and inexpensive to transact non-airline provided travel services. It is a billing and settlement platform run and governed by the travel industry that will highly automate the travel purchasing process along the entire distribution chain while reducing the cost to process payments for all parties. www.travelledger.org 

KOMPAS 

A recommendation platform that matches people to venues around them. The app provides small businesses with access to accurate data, allowing them to ensure that their consumers get a truly personalised experience when looking for their next brunch or unique bar. www.kompasapp.com 

 

 VIP YOU (Upgrade) 

 

The marketplace for outbound travel agents to make extra commission with exclusive, in-destination products and services. Upgrade seeks to solve the problem of OTAs impacting travel consultants’ ability to earn commission on high quality in-destination products and services with the a single, easy and trusted online B2B platform. http://beta.upgrade.voyage 

 

Kiva 

 

Kiva distributes hotel meeting spaces and other venues worldwide, enabling travel agencies, meeting planners and meeting distribution channels to instantly book meetings and events online in real-time, without the hassle, expense and time wasted with RFP’s and proposals. www.kivasolutions.com 

 

Travlab 

 

A white label mobile payment solution for Travel Providers, giving them the ability to accept installment payments against holiday bookings on mobile. Customers can conveniently pay off holidays bit by bit, and travel providers generate more revenue and cash flow – a win-win outcome for all parties. www.travtab.com 

 

Panzly

 

The first flight insurance with an immediate payout. Targeting both business travellers and travellers who are looking for attractions, activities, restaurants etc while on holiday. If a flight is delayed or cancelled, Panzly automatically triggers compensation without asking for any documents, filing the claim or calling in. Money is paid out immediately in the airport. https://panzly.com 

Out of the 10 shortlisted start-ups, five will be chosen via an open online vote to go through to the Disrupt Award finals, where they will take part in a 'Dragons’ Den' style pitch in front of a panel of judges; Evantia Giumba (Amadeus), Walter Toscano (Travel & Telecom Ltd), Martin Cowen (Phocuswire, Lee Hayhurst (Travel Weekly Group), Renee Tsielepi (Transcendence) and Anna Ferrari (Founders Factory); at Travel Technology Europe.  

The winner of the Disrupt Award will win a stand at next year’s Travel Technology Europe worth £8000, along with valuable PR and marketing support. 

The live pitches will take place on February 20th at 16:30 pm in the Innovation Theatre. To vote for your favourite start up (voting opens 2nd February 2019), or to register for your free tickets to Travel Technology Europe visit www.traveltechnologyeurope.com.