Deadline for submitting applications 10 April – award ceremony to take place 16 May at ITB China – Companies of all sizes and sectors may apply – winner rewarded with booth at ITB China 2020 – impressive jury list 

(Berlin/Shanghai, 18 January 2019) For the third time the stage is set for the best innovative travel technology solutions: Starting today startup companies can apply until 10 April 2019 for the ITBChina Startup Award on the stages of the eTravel World China at ITB China, set to take place from 15 -17 May, in Shanghai. During eight-minute pitches the  innovators have the chance to describe how their product will change the future of the travel industry. The winner voted by a jury of known industry professionals will receive the ITB China Startup Award and will be awarded a nine sqm booth for ITB China 2020. The award ceremony takes place on 16 May 2019 in the conference area at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Conference Center. 

Companies of all sizes and sectors may apply. Particular emphasis will be placed on topicality and relevance to the industry. The award recognizes startup companies who launched their products and business solutions with great market potential less than three years ago.

Applications can be submitted to jerry@itb-china.com and should contain the following information: Applicant Name, Company Name, Contact (Mobile & Email), Company Website (or WeChat/Facebook page ID), Business Plan, Product Description, Growth Expectation and Team Background.       

The jury consists of the following members of well-known industry professionals:

·         Mr. Matt James, Senior Manager of Corporate Strategy, Amadeus

·         Ms. Margaret Feng, Head of Oasis Lab, Ctrip 

·         Mr. Le Yu, Managing Director of Ping An Ventures

 ·         Mr. Jiazhu Wu, Chief Strategy Officer of Tongcheng-Elong

·         Mr. Jay You, Partner of Yuantai Investment Partners Evergreen Fund

Last year for the first time there were two equal winners: Timekettle, a Shenzhen based company and the Hong Kong-based travel platform TravelFlan. “ITB China Startup Award helps participants to exhibit and present their startup projects, giving entrepreneurs the opportunities to network with experienced veterans and investors in the tourism industry”, said Qin Zi’ang, owner Founder of Shenzhen Timekettle Technologies. 

“Our products were highly recognized by the organizers and industry leaders, making TravelFlan stand out at ITB China and in the travel market. We also benefitted from a variety of advice and guidance from the jury. Through ITB China, we made a lot of friends and partners in the industry”, said Abel Zhao, CEO of TravelFlan. 

www.itb-china.com/awards

Jiazhu Wu           Margaret Feng           Le Yu                    Jay You                 Matt James