Marriott Launches a Super Cool Accelerator that Lets You Test Your Startup at their Hotels
Kicking off in the UAE, their 'TestBed,' allows startups to test their products at their exclusive hotels, in a mission to shape the future of tourism and tech.
Marriott Hotels has just launched the TestBED programme in the Middle East and Africa, an ingenious 10-week acceleration programme giving start-ups the opportunity to test their products within an operating Marriott Hotel in a major city.
First launched Europe in 2016, the programme aims to uncover those startups that can "revolutionise a guest’s stay, reinventing the hotel experience throughout the region," the hotel chain said in a statement. Open to seed and early stage startups with products or services that are ready to pilot in a live hotel environment, the programme offers them the chance to get customer feedback from guests and associates to help develop and perfect their product.
Plus, selected startups will also access mentorship and global exposure. While the start-ups are not required to relocate for the entire programme, they may need to travel as the majority of this period will be spent in action within a Marriott Hotel - and who doesn't want to work from a hotel?
This is the first year that the initiative is available in the region, kicking off in the United Arab Emirates. “It’s an exciting chance for us to revolutionise the hotel experience in the region, all while supporting startups that are ready to spark game-changing innovation. There is a wealth of talent out there, and we’re looking forward to learning from each other as Marriott continues to lead the way in shaping the future of travel with technology," says Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President of Premium and Select Brands, Middle East & Africa at Marriott International.
To apply, click here.
Main photo: Marriott Hotel in Zamalek, Cairo.
Photo by @MO4Network.
