The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched a call for applications for the sustainable development goals global startup competition.
Led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the UN agency responsible for promoting sustainable, accessible and inclusive tourism, this Competition aims to encourage the global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to embrace sustainability and to deliver impact during the United Nations Decade of Action starting this year.
Categories
- No Poverty
- No Hunger
- Good Health and Well being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean water and Sanitation
- Affordable and clean Energy
- Decent work and Economic Growth
- Industry, innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the goals
Benefits
Benefits for winning startups include but are not limited to:
- Pitch at a UNWTO Demo Day
- Curated mentorship programme including one-on-one and in-group sessions focused on Intellectual Property (IP), sustainability, business and leadership
- Access to technological support
- Connection to the UNWTO Innovation Network
- Potential pilot project with private sector collaborators and institutions
Eligibility Criteria
Startups from all walks of life, from all over the world and all economic sectors are invited to participate if meeting the following criteria:
- Be innovative in nature providing value-added solutions
- Be sustainability-driven
- Be scalable: to have potential for international growth and potential to be applied in corporations and destinations (countries, regions)
- Be an Early Stage or Series A startup
- Have a tested pilot and business plan
- Have been accelerated before
- Have a full-time team
All ways of innovation are welcome: new methods, processes, governance models, social impact initiatives, and technologies.
Evaluation Criteria
Participating startups will be assessed according to their:
- Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
- Ease of value capture via collaboration with the startup
- Potential business impact
- Maturity of the product/technology
- Maturity of the team and the organization
- Partnership readiness
For more information, visit UNWTO.