Marriott seeks tech start-ups for hotel deal
The Marriott TestBED scheme is seeking products or services designed to help guests explore a city or improve the hotel group’s understanding of its visitors' wants and needs.
Two winning companies will be able to run a six-week pilot of their product in European Marriott Hotels, while receiving mentoring and training to help grow and promote their brand.
If successful, the start-ups may be offered an ongoing partnership with Marriott.
Budding businesses have until 16 October to submit their entries, after which a shortlist of eight finalists will be invited to pitch to a panel of industry experts on 4 November.
The winning companies will be given several days ‘boot-camp’ training before launching their product in a hotel.
The tech-led initiative follows the launch of Marriott’s Canvas Project, which offers entrepreneurs the chance to open a pop-up restaurant in a Marriott hotel.
Osama Hirzalla, vice president brand marketing and eCommerce Europe at Marriott International, said: “The most exciting thing about Marriott TestBED is the idea that entrepreneurs can learn from us and we can learn from them: combining their agility and creativity with our tools and hospitality expertise could be a powerful force in enhancing the guest experience.”
Last month Marriott became the world's largest hotel group after completing its $13.6bn merger with Starwood International.
The company has over 5,700 properties under 30 brands in over 100 countires.
For more information on Marriott TestBED visit www.marriotttestbed.com.
