Innovation in Tourism Accelerator Bootcamp
The Context
Over a period of three years, we collaborated with Wonderful Copenhagen’s HIT (Hub for Innovation in Tourism) to develop and deliver five pre-accelerator programs to support start-ups and innovators in tourism. Twice a year HIT would make a call for digital and sustainable solutions that create value for tourism or its players, and offer them a four-month accelerator program that would include networking, mentoring, and financial funding.
The Journey
Our journey began with the design and delivery of a meticulously crafted pre-accelerator bootcamp, an integral component of the broader accelerator program. The primary focus of our pre-accelerator was two-fold: first, to sift through a pool of aspiring applicants, identifying those with the most promising and innovative ideas; and second, to equip them with essential knowledge on Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and lean startup principles.
The boot camp served as a melting pot for ideas, where participants were not only coached in developing their concepts but were also provided with a platform for fostering crucial relationships and expanding their professional networks. Mentors and industry experts guided founders through the intricacies of creating scalable, sustainable solutions tailored for the diverse facets of the tourism industry, ranging from hospitality and travel booking to immersive experiences and event management.
The Results
A cohort of driven entrepreneurs emerged with refined ideas poised for growth in the tourism landscape. Several participants showcased remarkable progress in adopting MVP and lean startup methodologies, transforming their concepts into tangible, market-ready solutions.
Beyond the tangible outcomes, the boot camp fostered a community of collaboration, where like-minded individuals and businesses found common ground, laying the foundation for potential partnerships and synergies.
The success stories of these innovators underscore the effectiveness of the pre-accelerator program and highlight the transformative impact of collaborative efforts in propelling the tourism industry into a new era of digital and sustainable innovation.
“We collaborated with Thomas to design and facilitate the HIT Accelerator bootcamps because of Thomas’ great knowledge about innovation and lean startup processes, his brilliant communication and facilitation skills and his ability to “read the room.” We have always felt in good hands with Thomas hosting the events and enjoyed his professionalism and ease to work with.”