ATM 2024: Intelligent e-Commerce platform InterLnkd wins Start-up Pitch Battle

It is the first company to link travel and hospitality industries with the beauty and retail industries

Arabian Travel Market 2024 has revealed intelligent e-Commerce platform InterLnkd are this year's winner of its Start-up Pitch Battle.

InterLnkd overcame stiff competition on the final day of the four-day event to win the third edition of the competition, held in association with Intelak. 

The UK-headquartered company uses specific data points and an intelligent matching engine to link the travel and hospitality sectors with the fashion, beauty and retail industries.

Thirty-three travel start-ups submitted entries for this year's competition, which is an increase of 158% compared to last year. 

Finalists ClearQuote Technologies ME Ltd, stayK and InterLnkd presented to judges Sarah Saddouk, director of innovation of Entrepreneur.com and Mohammad Khoori, from the ventures team of Emirates Group.

Barry Klipp, co-founder and CEO of InterLnkd, outlined the company’s position as the first and only company to link the travel and hospitality industries with the fashion, beauty and retail industries to drive an incremental revenue stream to the former and a targeted sales solution to the latter.

He said: “Using specific data points, and a unique intelligent matching engine built through AI algorithms, InterLnkd is able to connect thousands of bookings from travel and hospitality with thousands of products from fashion, beauty and retail to deliver incremental revenue streams to both parties.”

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME of Arabian Travel Market, said: “As we embrace entrepreneurship and innovation in travel at this year's ATM, our pitch battle provides an ideal platform for emerging brands to unveil their cutting-edge industry solutions. 

"Entrepreneurship in tourism is driving significant change across the industry, bringing forth creative ideas that enhance the traveller experience, optimise business operations, and build sustainable, culturally rich ventures that positively impact local communities.

She added: “Our thanks also go to our partner, Intelak, a premier technology and innovation hub in Dubai that empowers both early-stage and established startups with the education, mentorship, tools, and resources necessary to tackle business challenges head-on."