Traveltech Lab is the Corporate Venture Capital of HBX Group and its innovation lab
Our mission is to re-imagine the World of Travel by investing in innovative solutions and facilitating their application in real business scenarios.
Our mission is to re-imagine the World of Travel by investing in innovative solutions and facilitating their application in real business scenarios.
WHAT DO WE DO?
TravelTechLab launches a new open innovation challenge with the aim of finding the best start-ups
that using emerging virtual technologies (VR, AR, gamification, artificial intelligence and beyond) may help B2B travel players to remove friction,
enhance efficiency in their operations, create more compelling experiences, and reshape distribution within the Travel Tech Industry.
Note: more information available in the T&C
We are looking for start-ups that can respond to the challenges proposed by the Lab, the first of which is to achieve a frictionless experience for travellers.
We will select four start-ups that will join the TravelTech Lab, HBX Group’s innovation hub, and enjoy access to its benefits and network of experts.
From the projects that join the Lab, we will select one per challenge that will be able to test its technology in a real environment with HBX Group.
Access to office space in an entrepreneurial environment in Madrid or Palma de Mallorca.
One of the selected companies will develop a pilot with HBX Group to validate their solution.
Access to HBX Group’s experts in TravelTech.
Relation with HBX Group’s business units to validate the solution and the business model.
Presence in social media, press releases and ecosystem events.
HBX Group’s extensive network with more than 300K hotels and partners.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We are an investment fund dedicated to financing startups and scaleups developing innovative & groundbreaking solutions in the travel sector and investing in corporate venture capital funds.
Each investment is defined on a case-by-case basis scenario, ensuring that the most promising technologies receive the support they need to thrive. This strategic initiative underscores our commitment to innovation, which is at the heart of the company.
June 2024
June 2024
On June 17th, we had the pleasure of hosting an exciting event on generative Artificial Intelligence at our TravelTech Lab Palma Innovation Hub. The day was filled with enriching discussions and deep reflections on the future of technology in the legal sector.
We had the participation of prominent entities such as Cuatrecasas, Fieldfisher and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, and our General Counsel, Sagrario Fernandez, played a crucial role as the event facilitator.
The event began with an introduction by Sagrario, followed by a presentation from Idoya Fernandez, Head of Knowledge and Innovation from Cuatrecasas. Idoya highlighted the rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence since its introduction in November 2022 and its significant impact on the legal sector, emphasizing the need for clear strategies and suitable technological partners to make the most of this emerging technology. Idoya also emphasized three key aspects of generative AI: its capability as a language model, the importance of a good prompt for accurate results, and the risk of hallucinations, where the model may generate incorrect but plausible responses.
Subsequently, a panel discussion moderated by Sagrario took place, where Francesc Muñoz, CIO from Cuatrecasas, Carlos Perez, Partner in charge of the Tech & Data area from Fieldfisher, and Miguel Angel Roman, Co-founder of the Artificial Intelligence Institute, discussed the utility and challenges of generative artificial intelligence. Topics such as necessary infrastructure, security and confidentiality, and AI regulation in Europe were debated.
The Q&A session allowed attendees to delve into aspects such as transparency in AI use, cybersecurity, and the impact of technology on education. The importance of proper regulation and training in human skills to complement the use of AI was emphasized.
The day concluded with a networking session accompanied by delicious catering, where attendees could exchange ideas and establish valuable connections.
Next month, in July, TravelTech Lab will host another event with TEDx Arxiduc Salon. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.
If you’d like to learn more or receive exclusive updates about TravelTech Lab, let us know at traveltechlab@hotelbeds.com so we can keep you informed about the latest developments.
May 2024
May 2024
Last May 23rd, our TravelTech Lab in Palma hosted another successful event, "Artificial Intelligence Applied to People Management." This session featured insights from representatives of Microsoft, Grupo Iberostar, and HBX Group, who discussed the current use of artificial intelligence and its challenges and benefits in the workplace.
Elena Pérez, Chief Human Resources at HBX Group, was joined by Doris Gomes, Director of Cloud Adoption and Innovation at Microsoft Spain, and Luis Zamora, Chief People Officer of Grupo Iberostar, to share their visions.
Here’s a summary of some key messages shared:
- Enhancing the human factor: Elena Pérez from HBX Group highlighted that AI allows employees to eliminate repetitive tasks and recover valuable time for creation, planning, and team collaboration.
- Employee Management: Despite 66% of leaders stating they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills, there's still a need for resource allocation and training in this area. Elena mentioned how HBX Group’s Talent Marketplace tool uses AI to learn employee preferences and tailor training and career plans effectively and individually.
- Ethical and safe use: AI implementation should be accompanied by supervision of data quality and accuracy, and adherence to ethical standards. At HBX Group, we advocate for controlled and safe AI deployment, with solutions that address specific needs and add value to our clients. Luis mentioned Grupo Iberostar’s policy to ensure data quality and prevent biases and misuse.
Let’s see some of the feedback received from the attendees, which highlights why we are so thrilled with the success of this event at the TravelTech Lab:
"Extraordinary presentation, very inspiring and positively impactful."
"Very interesting talk, adapted to the reality of businesses. Very well organized."
"A rich and gratifying experience! It was a luxury to have such high-level professionals in our offices."
Next month, in June, TravelTech Lab will host another event focused on AI generative applications in the legal sector. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.
If you’d like to learn more or receive exclusive updates about TravelTech Lab, let us know at traveltechlab@hotelbeds.com so we can keep you informed about the latest developments.
April 2024
April 2024
The TravelTech Lab Hub in Palma buzzed with excitement during our recent training sessions held on April 10th and 11th, as well as April 17th and 18th. These sessions were more than just educational; they were a celebration of innovation and collaboration.
This initiative introduced an exclusive Management 3.0 training designed to enhance our management and leadership skills in a constantly evolving technological environment. The training spanned four days and included eight participants selected through a nomination process to ensure diverse representation.
Feedback from participants highlighted the impact of the training:
"It has reinforced my vision of management and provided me with new tools to improve team intrinsic motivation and the feedback system. Mgt 3.0 here we come."
The welcoming and creative atmosphere of the Hub played a crucial role in the success of the training:
"The space is very pleasant, spacious, and creative."
Networking opportunities added immense value, allowing professionals from various industries to share insights and perspectives:
"Many ideas. Some of them hold promises for business ventures."
"By engaging with managers from other companies, an interesting initiative has arisen. It's particularly intriguing from a sustainability perspective and the transformation that HBX aims to bring to this industry."
Our training featured leading trainers in the field of Management 3.0 and collaboration with companies such as Garden Hotels, Soffid, Mastecnic, Electrica Ferrer, Ideas Consulting, Puro Group, and Habitissimo. This collaboration facilitated a comprehensive learning experience and maximized the program's impact.
Management 3.0 follows the system's thinking idea that 95 percent of an organization's performance results from the whole system, not the individual. The training examined how to analyze that system to develop better and more effective leadership across organizations.
The sessions were a springboard for personal and professional growth, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
March 2024
March 2024
On 14th of March 2024, the TravelTech Lab Hub hosted a Master Class on: "The Impact of Innovation on Company Success" by Borja Baturone, CEO Utopya and IE Professor, in collaboration with IE Business School and Caeb.
After a warm welcome from former IE students led by Joaquin Cotoner, Borja shared his thoughts on the importance of innovation for the future success of companies and provided some tips on how to implement a successful innovation strategy:
- Innovation is no longer just nice to have, it is a must for businesses to survive
- It opens up new opportunities, and helps to identify potential disruptive solutions at early stages
- Companies should focus on three key areas for a triple impact; people, the planet and profit
- When innovating, fall in love with your customers and their needs, rather than the solutions themselves
The event was rounded off with a fantastic networking session!
February 2024
February 2024
In February 15th 2024, the seventh edition of Venture on the Road took place at our TravelTech Lab Hub. Venture on the Road is a roadshow that provides regional start-ups with the opportunity to showcase their projects to potential investors. In this case, it was the second stop on the journey for 2024.
This was the first time the event was held in the Balearic Islands, where we, along with representatives from local partners Emprenbit and FundacioBit, had the pleasure of hosting Antonio Carmona Damians, Regional Secretary of Innovation and Digital Society from the Balearic Government, Javier Darriba, Co-founder and former Co-CEO of UserZoom and SeedRocket mentor, as well as 16 start-ups and investors from across the islands.
Alongside Javier Darriba's presentation on the key factors to consider when evaluating a SaaS, four start-ups presented their innovative solutions to industry challenges to the jury.
The four finalist startups were:
• Ecologi: Pioneering a cutting-edge traceability solution, Ecologi allows seamless tracking of products from origin to final sale, providing real-time monitoring for food products.
• Hydrostat: Innovating with a breakthrough sensor, Hydrostat enables precise monitoring of water levels in woody crops, aiming to reduce irrigation water consumption and enhance fruit quality.
• Iberiantax: Simplifying tax filing for non-resident property owners in Spain, Iberiantax offers an intuitive software solution for hassle-free tax management.
• Tripresale: Tripresale provides an online marketplace for individuals to resell hotel stays, offering flexibility and value to both buyers and sellers.
Congratulations to Hydrostat, the winning start-up!
October 2023
October 2023
TravelTech Lab Hub in Palma celebrated the first edition of OktoberTech on October 24th & 30th, 2023. The event featured two days of dynamic discussions on AI, data management, and tech innovation, in collaboration with Tableau and Snowflake. Prominent experts gathered to explore topics such as Generative AI, tech in customer service, and data optimization for enhanced customer experiences. TravelTech Lab remains committed to bringing the latest innovations to the Balearic Islands and positioning them as a global innovation hub. The event was a resounding success, with valuable insights shared and networking opportunities, all while enjoying the spirit of the German festival.
June 2024
March 2024
November 2023