HFTP Announces Participating Startups for Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) at HITEC 2024
Eight Startups to Compete for $5,000 Prize and Exposure to Industry Leaders
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has announced the eight outstanding startups participating in Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) Charlotte held on June 26, 2024 at HITEC Charlotte. Technologies being showcased in the HITEC 2024 cohort run the gamut of streamlining both back- and front-of-house operations, building guest profiles for enhanced stay experiences and strengthening property-vendor relationships.
Participating in Entrepreneur 20X is not just about pitching a great idea—it's about showcasing your ability to disrupt and redefine the hospitality industry. The selection process is rigorous and designed to identify truly innovative solutions and entrepreneurs who have the potential to make a lasting impact. E20X offers a rare platform for emerging talents to be heard, seen and supported on their journey to success. Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP
As the premier hospitality technology pitch competition for nearly a decade, Entrepreneur 20X is a unique opportunity for startups to gain visibility and credibility in the industry and network with fellow solution providers and influential industry professionals. Participants will have four minutes each to present their innovative products or services to a panel of judges with backgrounds in entrepreneurship and a live audience of HITEC attendees. Each pitch will be followed by another four minutes for Q&A between the judges and presenters.
The winning startup will receive a grand prize of $5,000 as the Judges’ Choice Award selection while the People’s Choice Award winner will also be recognized as voted on by their peers in real time during the presentation and deliberation periods. All startups will receive exposure to potential investors, customers and partners in the hospitality technology industry through their participation in the competition.
Beyond the stage, E20X participants receive a complimentary space to exhibit alongside more than 320 of their peers in the HITEC Charlotte exhibit hall at the E20X Pavilion. Pitchers will also have access to a team of industry mentors before the competition to inspire and educate the startups by lending them the insights, expertise and guidance they need to succeed for both the competition and their fledgling companies.
The participating 2024 E20X Charlotte startups are:
HITEC is the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology conference. It attracts thousands of attendees and hundreds of industry solution providers and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe in one place. Attendees gain access to essential education, top hospitality industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. New this year is the co-located HITEC Technology Investment Conference which will connect exhibiting company executives, investors and M&A consultants for the opportunity to discuss potential partnerships. The co-located event is invitation-only and will take place June 27-28. Those who are interested in attending can fill out an online form. HITEC Charlotte will be held June 24-27, 2024 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina USA. Learn more at www.hitec.org.
For more information regarding E20X, email [email protected].
About HFTP
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in the EU and Middle East. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.
Caroline Palmer
Special Projects Liaison
HFTP
