Startups should apply online by 16 February, and mentors and volunteers should apply by 20 February
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), is currently accepting applications for participants, judges and mentors for Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) at HITEC Amsterdam. Those who wish to participate in the European version of E20X can apply online; startups can apply here, and mentors and volunteers can apply here. E20X Amsterdam, a pre-conference event, will take place at 14:30 on Wednesday, 11 April at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam.
E20X participants will be selected from the field of applicants, and pitch their business concepts to a panel of expert judges and HITEC attendees and exhibitors. Participants will have access to a team of mentors, before the competition, who will inspire and educate the startups by lending them insights, expertise and guidance. The E20X judge's panel will determine the grand prize, "E20X Judge's Award," winner while the audience will determine the crowd favorite, "E20X People's Startup Award," winner. Past applicants and winners are welcome to re-apply as long as they are still considered Series A or a startup.
Two E20X mentor opportunities are available to industry professionals who would like to volunteer: pre-show mentors and day-of competition mentors. Pre-show mentors will entertain a series of brief one-on-one calls with chosen pitchers leading up to the competition, providing coaching and pitch deck feedback. Day-of mentors will meet face-to-face with participants in a series of pre-booked meetups hours before the E20X competition takes place sharing their experience, getting their brain picked and making invaluable connections.
"E20X is a powerful and popular highlight featured at HITEC," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe. "Startups, judges and mentors receive global exposure within our industry. Industry veterans will have the chance to showcase their knowledge, and help budding entrepreneurs reach new career goals."
HFTP will produce three HITEC events in 2018. HITEC Amsterdam will take place from 11-13 April at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam. The larger HITEC Houston will take place from 18-21 June at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas USA – applications are also open for E20X Houston. HITEC Dubai will return in the fall of 2018. For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other international activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec.
