Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a platform for regional entrepreneurs who will define the future of travel, will host the ATM Startup Pitch Battle in collaboration with Intelak during the upcoming edition of the event. The competition, which will take place on May 1st at ATM's Future Stage, invites startups to present their innovative and groundbreaking business proposals to a panel of experts, including Ramzi Al Qassab, Managing Director of Sabre for the Middle East, and Njood Alkhaldi, Innovation Specialist at Intelak Hub.
As part of ATM's commitment to entrepreneurship and connectivity, the competition invites startups with innovative products, services, or technologies to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The competition is open to startups in the pre-seed or seed phase, allowing them to access the resources needed to take their businesses to the next level.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director at Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM’s core mission is to unlock the business potential of the travel and tourism industry, and entrepreneurs are increasingly crucial to the future of the sector. The ATM Startup Pitch Competition has become one of the most prominent events, showcasing inspiring ideas and the extraordinary talent this region has to offer. We look forward to receiving a wide range of submissions for this year’s competition.”
Last year's winner, InterLnkd, took first place thanks to its innovative approach to monetizing travel bookings. This year's winning startup will receive exclusive exhibit space at ATM 2026 and marketing and PR support during the event. Additionally, they will have the exclusive opportunity to be part of a panel at ATM 2026, allowing them to share their knowledge with a wider audience and participate in relevant industry discussions.
Startups interested in competing for the grand prize should submit a brief summary of their business and mission by Friday, March 21, via this link. Intelak will evaluate applications with the assistance of Ahmad Alwaly, Emirates Senior Robotics Engineer and member of the Technology Innovation Lab. The most innovative solutions will be selected to be presented live at the event. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by March 31.
Intelak is a Dubai-based technology and innovation hub dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the travel, tourism, and aviation sectors. Backed by industry-leading partners, Intelak offers early- and late-stage startups access to programs, mentorship, and a community of like-minded individuals to launch, develop, and scale their startups.
To further boost business growth in the travel sector, all shortlisted startups will be featured at this year's fair. They will receive free space in the new ATM 2025 Startup & Innovation Zone, located in Hall 3 of Za'abeel, where they can present their solutions and connect with industry leaders.
The ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle is presented by Sabre and will take place from 12:30 to 2:00 PM on May 1st at ATM's Future Stage.
ATM 2025 will be held from April 28 to May 1, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will focus on the theme: "Global Travel: Developing the Tourism of the Future through Enhanced Connectivity." The event is expected to attract over 47,000 attendees and feature more than 2,600 exhibitors.
ATM 2025, held in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre, includes strategic partners such as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.
Fuente: Arabian Travel Market.