The Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition is an inititative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It was created to identify challenges and support innovation in the gastronomy tourism sector.
Applications for the 4th annual competition are due by June 6, 2024. The award does not come with a monetary prize, but does have numerous benefits to help build your startup.
Eligibility
This competition is open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations from anywhere in the world who meet the following criteria:
- Operating in the Gastronomy Tourism Sector
- Using innovative methods in comparison to similar businesses
- Focusing on social needs such as employability and gender equity
- Ability to enact localized social change
- A tested product or service
- The potential to scale up the business in the short to medium term
- Ability to quickly implement collaborative development of products or services
- A committed team with the knowledge to achieve their goals
- Adherence to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals
Benefits
Finalists will receive:
- Mentoring from UNWTO and other partners
- Investment opportunities
- Membership in the UN Tourism Innovation Network
- Scholarship opportunities for the Tourism Online Academy
- Space in the LABe- Digital Gastronomy Lab facilities for 6 months.
- Opportunity to participate in Culinary Action On the Road
- Access to the Advanced Plan on the GOe Digital Community for 6 months
Categories
Applicants may apply in one of three categories:
- New Technologies – Startups developing and promoting a product or service with a high technological component
- Local Impact – Startups developing and promoting a project with a high degree of transformation and social improvement
- Sustainability and Waste Management – Startups developing and promoting a project with a focus on sustainability and/or food waste generated by tourists
They may also apply for one of four types of product or service:
- Physical product
- Service
- Software
- New business model for tourism
