Amadeus Offers Support to Asia-Pacific Tech Startups
by Michele McDonald /Amadeus launched a startup initiative to “mentor, nurture, and partner” with travel technology startups in the Asia Pacific region.
Called Amadeus Next, it will provide startup companies with access to Amadeus’ technology to build and validate the “minimum viable product” — the sweet spot between a product that lacks the required features to get it off the ground and a product that has so many features that it increases risk.
Startups can work with Amadeus experts to receive mentoring and guidance, and to incubate and validate their ideas and businesses.
With Amadeus’ support, they will be able to connect to the right network to pilot new business models with Amadeus customers and industry players.
Amadeus will help startups connect to investors and venture capital around the world. In addition, the Amadeus Venture Fund offers early-stage minority investments in startups.
Among the startups already on board are Klook, a Hong Kong-based company that sells travel activities throughout Asia; Orahi, a carpool app for sharing rides to and from work in India; Berlin-based Triposo, which develops customizable, “intuitive” destination apps; and TopDocs, a medical tourism platform founded by Cassandra Italia, director at Global Health Travel Co. in Bangkok.
Also joining Amadeus Next are venture capital firms JungleVentures and CyberAgent Ventures; Techsauce, a website for Thai startups; and Hubba, a Thai provider of co-working spaces, technology events, technology media, and startup education.
Simon Akeroyd, vice president of corporate strategy and business development, said Amadeus Next is not a short-term project; rather, it is “a long-term partnership and commitment to create a collaborative travel tech startup community in Asia Pacific.”