Should MICE professionals consider adding start-up pitching to their occasions?
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One of the larger tendencies we’ve famous with regard to MICE all through the primary half of 2025 is the rising variety of pitching periods featured in industry-centric occasions.
At the not too long ago concluded Digital Travel APAC 2025, one of many spotlight periods was one impressed by pitching programmes like Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank whereby three entrepreneurs got here onstage to pitch contemporary concepts in entrance of potential traders.
Edmund Goh, a younger Singaporean entrepreneur, gained the pitching spherical on the occasion, and this helps put his socials-driven and youth-centric digital journey platform Sotravel on the radar of different events within the {industry}.
Digital Travel APAC isn’t the one occasion to characteristic pitching periods, although its extra compact and fast-paced format makes it a dynamic instance.
Earlier this yr, ITB China in Shanghai additionally featured a phase that includes traveltech visionaries, every presenting modern ideas with the potential to change the {industry} over the subsequent a number of years; and we’re conscious that area of interest occasions protecting tourism and F&B even have related actions.
But, severely: are pitch occasions one thing that MICE professionals ought to consider adding to the slate of {industry} occasions?
Edmund Goh presents his successful idea for Sotravel at Digital Travel APAC
The case for pitching at occasions
Based on our observations, there’s a lot going for the addition of pitching periods to an occasion slate
For one factor, everybody who issues might be at these occasions.
Startups might be mingling not solely with potential traders, but additionally corporations or particular person innovators they will work with.
This additionally provides a possibility to scope out the competitors: see what friends are excited about or engaged on, enabling startups to consider enhancements or changes to their personal ideas.
Second, occasions supply a possibility for proof of idea shows.
Especially if startups decide to take part as exhibitors as opposed to mere pitchers, they will truly present a wider viewers the capabilities of a product or the viability of an innovation.
Proof of idea shows pique the curiosity of holiday makers, pushing them to be taught extra about what they’ve simply seen in addition to the corporate behind it.
Igotopia’s James South will get prepared to make his pitch
There is, nevertheless, a catch…
But pitching at occasions additionally has plenty of drawbacks to take into accounts.
There is, sadly, the potential for others to pirate any ideas introduced on the occasion.
In which case, it pays to have a patent or copyright in place prior to pitching; it protects creators and startups from anybody base sufficient to even consider taking their concepts.
Also, the time restrict given to pitchers doesn’t give them that a lot time to current their concepts intimately.
At Digital Travel APAC, the three individuals got simply 5 minutes to make their pitch; at ITB China, roughly the identical.
Even with slide shows enjoying, it actually isn’t sufficient time to make an indelible mark on the minds of audiences and traders.
Likewise, there may be additionally the opportunity of leaving out key particulars from one’s pitch; even when you are available ready, nerves and needing to conform with given parameters have the potential to drive some concepts out of 1’s thoughts.
TwinMatrix Technologies’ Eric Liu presents the deserves of his idea
Tips for startups pitching at {industry} occasions
For startups given the chance to pitch at a MICE occasion, both invited by potential traders or becoming a member of by paying an entrance price, we provide the next ideas for a profitable presentation.
- Come ready; it pays to submit your presentation a number of days, even weeks, prior to the occasion. Plus, make certain to coordinate with onsite tech groups to guarantee your materials performs easily;
- Be aware of the time as you’ve mere minutes to get your concept throughout. Be certain to be concise and exact together with your language to correctly get your level throughout within the time you’re allotted;
- Answer any questions thrown your manner as candidly as attainable as this may affect the judges taking your idea into consideration; and
- Make your presentation full of life and fascinating, as this may assist drive viewers attraction in your favour.
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