Traveltech for Scotland Women Entrepreneurs featured in We Are Tech Women
Women traveltech entrepreneurs in Scotland transforming tourism
We are Tech Women highlights Traveltech for Scotland entrepreneurs
Traveltech for Scotland has been delighted to see community members Swurf, Criton and Unbaggaged featured in We Are Tech Women.
Entrepreneurs Julie Grieve of Criton, Nikki Gibson of Swurf and Janani Prabhakaran of Unbaggaged have shared their motivations for starting traveltech businesses, and reflections on the opportunities to bring technology and tourism together.
Technology Innovations Transforming Tourism & Hospitality
Criton - Julie Grieve
Criton, founded by Julie Grieve in 2016, allows independent hotels to offer guests a fully digital journey, from check-in and mobile door keys to ordering food and drink, all through their phone. Criton, which has 300 clients and was one of Skift’s Top Travel Start-ups to Watch in 2019, has recently been acquired by Portuguese company Nonius, a vendor of digital tools for hospitality companies. Julie Grieve observes that “Tourism is of huge importance to Scotland and over the past few years we have grown a wide range of traveltech businesses. The significant issues faced by tourism in terms of staffing is driving a need for technology to aid efficiencies. There are lots of opportunities for operators and technology vendors.”
Swurf - Nikki Gibson
Swurf helps home-workers browse, book and use interesting work spaces. Nikki started the new venture during the pandemic when her events company lost business overnight after twelve years of success. Founder and entrepreneur Nikki believes that the opportunity to bring together technology and Scotland’s tourism offering is hugely exciting.
Nikki observes in the article that, “Tourism is the heart of Scotland, a country blessed with world class beauty, culture and experiences. Technology is an enabler to the global demand and desire to be part of that and lockdown has accelerated development and growth.”
Unbaggaged - Janani Prabkaharan
Unbaggaged enables travellers to easily book mobile luggage storage during their visit to Edinburgh, offering pick ups and returns at convenient times and locations. Founder and avid traveller Janani Prabhakaran came up with the idea in 2018, while still studying at the University of Strathclyde. Unbaggaged has partnered with 475 hospitality-related businesses in Edinburgh and plans to expand to other UK cities and to Europe and the USA in future years.
Role models in the sector can make a huge difference. Janani has been inspired by other female entrepreneurs, saying, “Julie Grieve from Criton and others have definitely made the industry more exciting, innovative and built investable companies that have put Scotland on the map.”