6 Years of CapsuleT: Innovation, Acceleration, Growth!

This year, the Capsule^T Travel & Hospitality Accelerator celebrates 6 years of operation — six years of continuous presence, support, and growth of Greece’s tourism startup ecosystem. From the very beginning, we received enthusiastic response and tangible support from both the Greek and international ecosystems, hoteliers, tourism bodies, and established professionals who chose to actively contribute to our programs as mentors and speakers.

Capsule^T, the first travel-tech accelerator in Greece, has become a trusted innovation hub for tourism, gaining recognition for its active involvement in industry actions and international visibility. Notably, it was awarded “Best Accelerator in Southern Europe 2022” by the South Europe Startup Awards and was a finalist in the Global Startup Awards. Additionally, it has participated in leading international tourism exhibitions at the invitation of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), as well as in conferences and initiatives both in Greece and abroad — promoting the strength of Greek travel-tech solutions and the people behind them.

As an initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the accelerator was designed to bring together the needs of hotels and the tourism market with new ideas and innovators offering tech-driven solutions. From its first steps, the initiative received wide support: leading businesses, tourism and tech professionals, institutions, and partner organizations embraced its vision and actively chose to support it.

Through the partnerships formed, the continuous invitations for collaboration, and the steady involvement of professionals in mentoring, on-site visits, and acceleration programs, Capsule^T has become a bridge between the market and innovation — significantly contributing to the digital transformation of Greece’s tourism sector.

Year-by-Year Highlights

2019

• Launch of the HCH initiative to create the country’s first travel startup accelerator: Capsule^T Travel & Hospitality Accelerator

• 1st Acceleration Cycle – The first teams begin their journey

• Opening of the workspace hub for hosting workshops and team offices

• First participations in Greek exhibitions with a Capsule^T booth, which became an annual tradition

• On-site visits to major hotels in the Peloponnese and Athens

2020

• 2nd and 3rd Acceleration Cycles during the pandemic

• Digitization of activities: online mentoring, events & workshops

• Creation of the “Innovation Bites” video and blog series, offering startup-driven solutions for hoteliers during the pandemic

• Launch of the 1st annual youth competition “Idea Platform”

2021

• Launch of the 4th Acceleration Cycle post-pandemic

• Partnership with GNTO for the first-time participation of Greek startups at WTM London

• Strengthening of partnerships with industry-leading companies and the startup ecosystem

2022

• Awarded “Best Accelerator in Southern Europe” by the SESA Awards

• Honors from the Tourism Awards & Greek Hospitality Awards

• 5th Acceleration Cycle with enriched workshops and events

• New networking events in Athens and the regions in partnership with local bodies

• Founding member of the Greek Fintech Hub and co-organizer of the 1st Greek Fintech Hub Conference

2023

• First roadshow in collaboration with local hotel associations outside Athens

• Participation as a partner in the Smart Attica Innovation Hub

• Active role in Greek and international panels such as Eban Congress Thessaloniki

• Continued partnership with GNTO for exhibitions in Madrid, Berlin, and London

• Increased focus on sustainability & impact-oriented tourism solutions

• Record startup participation in Philoxenia & Xenia exhibitions with a Capsule^T booth

2024

• 10 new roadshows across Greece with local hotel associations, including 10 events and numerous on-site visits

• Startup delegations at international exhibitions in London and Berlin with GNTO

• 7th Acceleration Cycle with more AI and Fintech solutions

• 5th Idea Platform with a record number of applications and participants

The Numbers Behind the Journey

In these 6 years, Capsule^T has achieved:

• 126 startup teams participated in its programs

• 7 Acceleration Cycles and 6 “Idea Platform” youth competitions

• 3,600 hours of mentoring from top market professionals

• 110 on-site visits to hotels and tourism businesses

• 237 workshops & events hosted

• 170 speakers, judges, and mentors supported the programs

• 33 sponsors, strategic partners & community collaborators

• 23 startup delegations at Greek and international tourism expos

• 140 participations as guests in panels, talks, university lectures, conferences & forums

• 1st place award – Best Accelerator in Southern Europe (SESA 2022)

• Finalist – Best Accelerator at the Global Startup Awards 2023

Our Mission Remains Clear

From day one, our goal has been to create a “creative hub” for innovation and connection between tourism startups, hoteliers, and the broader market — to help ambitious teams turn their ideas into impactful startups, and to provide Greek hotels and tourism businesses with access to technologies that enhance their operations, visibility, and competitiveness.

For 6 years, we’ve been a key connection point:

• Between startups and tourism professionals

• Between fresh ideas and industry needs

• Between Greek entrepreneurship and the global stage

What’s Next?

Innovation doesn’t stop here!

In 2025, we’ve already kicked off with new programs, stronger partnerships, and an even greater presence in regional Greece — through actions like events with local hotel associations, participation in the “New Technologies” panel at BEYOND Expo at the invitation of the Region of Attica and Nea Metropolitan Attica S.A., presence at the “Metamorphosis” conference by HAPCO & DES, visits to local tourism enterprises, and startup presentations in universities and special events.

And of course, with the launch of the 6th “Idea Platform”, we continue to give voice and opportunity to the most dynamic, innovative ideas in the field.

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone supporting this journey: our startupers, sponsors, strategic partners, mentors, speakers, the Board of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, and all the member hotels that embraced this initiative. Their trust and active participation have made Capsule^T a recognized tourism innovation ecosystem with real impact.

6 years later, we move forward stronger than ever!
With eyes on the future, we continue to support Greek travel tech startups and the country’s tourism sector!