From challenges to real solutions, for the transformation of the hospitality sector.
HOSPITALITY OPEN INNOVATION is a program designed to support startups with innovative solutions in the hospitality sector in addressing real challenges of hospitality organizations, enhancing guest experiences, optimize internal operations, and promote sustainability.
Powered by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, HOSPITALITY OPEN INNOVATION identifies high potential solutions to be piloted in real environments with our partners in the industry.
Do you want to implement a pilot in real life with leading hospitality organizations?
Global reach for startups
HOSPITALITY OPEN INNOVATION seeks to pilot and accelerate the digital, operational, and sustainable transformation of the hospitality sector while creating international growth opportunities for startups.
■ Commercial opportunities: Access to leading accommodation operators
■ Real-world validation: Pilot solutions in real operational environments
■ Successful use cases: Demonstrate your solution for future commercial pitches
■ Sector positioning: Strengthen your standing in tourism and hospitality
■ Market growth: Accelerate your solution adoption and growth
Challenges
HOSPITALITY OPEN INNOVATION fosters collaboration between hospitality operators and startups with pilot-ready solutions to address strategic business challenges through the design and implementation of real-world projects.
Customer Relationship and Experience
How to create more personalized experiences, anticipate needs, and strengthen customer relationships throughout their entire customer journey, from booking to post-stay?
How can marketing assets be consolidated in a single platform? How can digital content, and customer behavior can be structured to drive actionable intelligence that supports faster decisions, more effective campaigns, and a more relevant commercial relationship with each guest?
Marketing Intelligence, Digital Content and Data
Automation and Productivity – Daily Operations
How can technology, including robotics, help operational teams anticipate needs, coordinate more effectively and eliminate manual tasks, to increase day-to-day efficiency?
Automation and Productivity – Backoffice
How can increasingly complex billing, administrative, financial, and management processes be automated to reduce errors and free backoffice teams for work of greater strategic impact?
Physical Space Smart Sensing
How can the environmental data continuously generated by hotel spaces — sound, image, temperature, air quality, presence — be turned into an active source of operational intelligence, guest comfort, and energy efficiency?
Institutional Partner
Innovation Partners
Journey
27 July - 13 September
Applications are open! Do you have a pilot-ready solution? Apply for a chance to showcase and pilot your solution with our hospitality partners, addressing real challenges in the hospitality sector with our support.
Open Call
14 September - 9 October
Selection
Our evaluation committee will assess all applications based on innovation, market potential, team capabilities, and alignment with the identified industry challenges. Shortlisted startups may be invited to provide additional information or participate in interviews to further present their solution and discuss its potential fit with the program, and selected startups will then be invited to join the program.
Mid-October to Mid-November
Pilot Design
Co-design and prepare your pilot project. Together with Unicorn Factory Lisboa and the respective partner, you'll define objectives, scope, implementation plan, success metrics, and the resources needed to ensure a successful pilot.
Mid-November to early March
Pilot Implementation
Pilot your solution with the respective partner in a real operational environment. Demonstrate impact, collect valuable feedback, and refine your product, with the chance to sign a commercial agreement with the respective partner, based on the results.
Mid March
Showcase event
Present your pilot results to industry leaders, investors and innovation stakeholders. This is the opportunity to gain visibility and potentially secure future contracts and investors!
