Unicorn Factory Lisboa launched the "Hospitality Open Innovation" program, an open innovation initiative aimed at the hotel sector, with the support of Turismo de Portugal and partnerships from Pestana Hotel Group and Feel Group. Applications run until September 13th and the program starts in September 2026, with completion scheduled for March 2027, for a total duration of six months.
The program is aimed at national and international startups that already have a developed product or a minimum viable product (MVP) with potential for integration into the partner companies' operations. The goal is to accelerate the adoption of technological solutions and digital transformation in the hotel sector, enabling the development and implementation of pilot projects in hotel units.
The applying startups will need to address challenges focused on five strategic areas: customer experience and relationship, marketing and data intelligence, daily operations automation, backoffice processes automation, and smart building technologies. Gil Azevedo, executive director of Unicorn Factory Lisboa, highlighted that the program aims to strengthen the role of external innovation through startups in the tourism sector.
Representatives from the partner hotel groups also emphasized the added value of the initiative. Duarte Macedo, from Pestana Hotel Group, stated that the program seeks solutions with practical application for more efficient and personalized hospitality. In turn, Nuno Oliveira, from Feel Group, pointed out that participation allows the group to get closer to the startup ecosystem and test solutions in real-world context. The program will culminate with a final event presenting the results.
