Arabian Travel Market start-up pitch competition offers up to $500,000 funding

Inaugural ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition will see 15 finalists battle it out

Up to half-a-million dollars in funding is up for grabs in a start-up competition that will take place at this year’s Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The annual trade show will see 15 finalists pitch for the investment in the inaugural ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition in association with ATM Travel Tech.

The five-minute pitches will be featured on the Travel Tech Stage at ATM which takes place between May 9 and 12. Finalists will face questions from a panel of industry judges.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME at Arabian Travel Market, said: “The ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition offers an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the industry to pitch their business plans in front of our expert judges, not to mention a global audience of industry professionals and investors.

“In addition to pitching for up to $500,000 of investment at ATM 2022, the winning start-up will be given the chance to compete for a further $500,000 of funding on Tim Draper’s hugely popular television show, Meet the Drapers.”

Start-ups from travel and transportation, hospitality tech, and experiences and attractions, have been invited to enter the competition.

The overall winner will receive a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $500,000 investment and a DASC Certificate and two runners up will receive the DASC Certificate.

For the winner appearing on Meet the Drapers, will see them gain access to a crowdfunding network of 12 million viewers.

“The aim of the ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition is to help intensify the race to a sustainable future for travel and tourism,” added Curtis.

“In conjunction with AladdinB2B and Draper Associates, we will showcase technologies and innovations from the brightest minds in travel, transportation, hospitality, experiences and attractions.”

In addition to a place in the competition, each finalist will have the opportunity to procure a pod located in ATM 2022’s start-up area, access to a booking and matchmaking platform powered by AladdinB2B and Draper VC, and global exposure through ATM Travel Tech’s marketing platforms.

The competition’s panel of expert judges will also share their start-up experience, offering tips on the most effective fundraising methods, the biggest challenges faced by new ventures, and the best channels to reach investors.

“Any start-ups that are interested in taking part can visit the ATM Travel Tech page to find out more about this exciting competition,” said Curtis.