7 startups advance to Grand Finals in Phocuswright/WiT pitch event

Seven startups from six regions around the world have been named semifinalists in the first Phocuswright/WebinTravel Global Startup Pitch event .

The new event is the latest effort from the two companies, both part of Northstar Travel Group, to identify startups that are innovating and propelling the travel industry forward.

During the first round of the competition in May, 30 startups - five from each of six regions: Asia Pacific; India; the Middle East and Africa; Europe; the United States/Canada; and Latin America – competed, with separate panels of judges from each region selecting three startups to move onto the semifinal round.

The semifinal round, which took place virtually on August 25, advanced seven startups – one from each of the six regions, plus one from a special Wild Card category – to the Grand Finals, which will take place in person during WiT Singapore October 3 to 5.

The finalists are:

• Asia Pacific: Worklounge
• India: Vervotech
• Middle East and Africa: Away to Africa
• Europe: Doinn
• Latin America: Pinguim
• U.S./Canada: Wheel the World
• Wildcard: Gopass Global

The winner of the Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch event will have the opportunity to present during The Phocuswright Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in November.

"A global startup event like this proves that innovation is thriving in every segment and in every region of the world," says Pete Comeau, Phocuswright managing director.

"Each entrepreneur was laser focused on solving real problems for the industry, presenting technological innovations around accessibility, diversity, safety, fintech, mapping, ancillary services and more. Having startups interact with a panel of industry stalwarts as judges is a unique opportunity that WiT and Phocuswright uses to promote synergy and relationships between two communities that are the driving force behind technology in travel."

At the close of the competition, Comeau led a discussion with Morgan Lesne, president of Cambon Partners, and Steve Taub, head of investments at JetBlue Ventures.

Watch the full discussion below.