Travel Startups: Networking, Events , and Innovations in the Tourism Industry

Startups with new and innovative ideas are just as much a part of a thriving travel industry as established players with extensive experience and travelers themselves. Learning from one another and making effective use of synergies should be a top priority when seeking smart solutions in both the B2C and B2B sectors.

To support startups and their founders throughout the process of launching a business and establishing themselves in the market, the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. (VIR) is particularly committed to promoting startups. That is why the VIR established its own startup cluster within the association some time ago, initiates special projects, and organizes dedicated events on the topic, including the TIC & VIR Startup Nights, Startup Week, and various information sessions.

Startups play an enormously important and significant role in the tourism ecosystem, as they represent the industry’s pool of innovation and drive it forward in an agile, forward-looking way. Discover our initiatives to support startups!

Startup Membership with VIR: The Startup Cluster

Supporting travel startups is very important to us! That’s why, since 2017, we’ve also been offering startups that are up to five years old (from the date of founding) the opportunity to become members of the association. Our startups enjoy all the benefits of a regular membership at favorable terms! Membership includes a discounted ticket to the largest annual event in digital tourism—the VIR Innovation Days—a free copy of the VIR Facts & Figures on the online travel market, excellent networking opportunities during the biannual exchange meetings (exclusive to members), as well as free workshops on various topics relevant to startups.

Information Brochure Overview of VIR Members Membership Application

The Benefits of a Startup Membership with VIR

Promotion of Innovation
Discussion of current industry trends
Networking with other startups

Exchange of experiences with industry experts
Participation in all VIR events and workshops
Access to VIR studies

What Our Startup Members Say

As a travel tech startup, our membership in VIR is a real highlight for us. Direct access to valuable expertise, strong support, and genuine growth opportunities through unique networks—no one else offers us this quite like VIR. What we particularly appreciate is the open, peer-to-peer communication and mutual support. The VIR team’s dedication is outstanding and supports us in ways that go far beyond the norm. In short: For us, the VIR is not just an association, but a true partner on our journey. Here’s to many more years to come.

Anna Kollmerelysium audio solutions GmbH

As a startup in the tourism sector, membership in the VIR is indispensable for us. It not only gives us access to unparalleled networks and expertise, but also specifically helps us build valuable business relationships. The VIR significantly boosts our credibility and market presence, which is essential for our continued success. In addition, support initiatives such as Start-Up Night, Start-Up Week, and the exchange meetings—and above all, the VIR Innovation Days—are invaluable to us.

Michael MenzelFanz GmbH

For a startup like ours, being a member of VIR is a real game-changer! It’s not just about networking—which is important, of course—but there’s more to it than that. It’s about always staying on top of the latest industry trends. Especially in the beginning, there’s so much for a startup to organize, so it’s just brilliant when the latest and most relevant updates come straight to us as if by magic (thanks, VIR!). That keeps us up to date and lets us focus entirely on the business. And the best part is that we can connect with people who know exactly what matters!

Victoria Vlasekholidayheroes Deutschland GmbH

TIC & VIR Travel Startup Night

The TIC & VIR Travel Startup Nights are a joint initiative of the Travel Industry Club and VIR. The goal is to connect young travel startups (up to five years after founding) with established tourism companies, thereby fostering innovation in the industry. The events take place in a relaxed atmosphere at various host locations in startup hubs across the DACH region and provide an opportunity for informal networking.

Each evening, five startups will each give a seven-minute pitch to a diverse “expert jury” made up of industry professionals, partners, investors, and interested members of the public. Following a Q&A session and audience voting, the evening’s favorite advances to the grand annual finale. There, the winners of all previous rounds, along with the two best runners-up, compete for the title of “Travel Startup of the Year” and a prize package worth approximately €100,000.

Here you'll find all the information you need about applying

VIR Startup Week

VIR Start-up Week is a specialized event organized by the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. and is specifically aimed at founders in the travel tech and tourism sectors. Each year, it offers three days of dynamic interaction between startups, established tourism professionals, and industry experts from across Germany. The focus is on a casual get-together, interactive workshops, Barcamp sessions, and keynote talks—featuring practical startup knowledge, financing tips, and discussions on current trends in the digital travel industry.

Here you can find more information about the event

Startup News

Every month, travel startups from the VIR Startup Cluster introduce themselves in our “What’s New with…?” blog post. In these posts, they provide insightful answers to questions covering everything from the initial idea to the company’s founding, their goals and plans, and their success stories, as well as discussing the innovation potential of the travel industry. They also share advice they’ve received or learned from their own experiences.

Read more about innovative startup ideas in the tourism industry that leverage digital solutions—from booking to advanced B2C and B2B services—and stay tuned for insights into our various startup events.