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Technological solutions to improve the transportation of pets on flights, real-time information at airports, stimulate visits to local destinations within Brazil and automate passenger baggage handling processes. According to a note sent to DIÁRIO, these are some of the 17 challenges proposed in the "Brazilian Welcome Challenge", an Embratur initiative that is selecting startups through the LinkLab platform of the Santa Catarina Technology Association (ACATE).

In the first selection stage, 10 startups from six Brazilian states were selected out of 56 proposals and will continue in the challenge, with a pitch day scheduled for August 8, when the participants will be able to present and defend their proposals to a selection committee. Two companies will be chosen to receive R$ 50,000 each to carry out a test run.

The startups selected were: Atena ESG (SP), Audima (RJ), Autaza (SC), Blumaps (SC), Filazero (SE), Macnica DHW (SC), Mover Tech Ltda (RS), Opensenses (SP), Peoplexperience (SP) and Strelo Aeroportos (BA). The six criteria evaluated for choosing the startups considered the business model; scalability, which analyzes the potential for growth, expansion and scale of the business; the team; the adherence of the proposal; the relevance of the project to the digital transformation of the tourism sector; and the potential social/environmental impact.

Silvio Kotujansky, director of Innovation and New Business at ACATE, explains that the selection of the startups began with the application of LinkLab's methodology based on the criteria defined by ACATE. Embratur The team then curated the projects to present a list of options to the selection committee, which was supported by ACATE in selecting the 10 proposals.

"It's a very important project for improving the passenger experience at Brazilian airports and now the solutions that generate the most impact will be effectively selected. It's a project that has flowed very well from the start between our entire team at ACATE and LinkLab with Embratur, we are very happy with the result," adds Kotujansky.

The president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, celebrated the startups' commitment to presenting innovative solutions to make the tourist experience the best it can be:

"When foreigners arrive in Brazil, they want to be happy and have incredible experiences. And this should start right at our gateways: the airports. The first impression remains, and tourists who leave the airport with a good experience will be more inclined to visit more attractions and return home talking about the differential of Brazilian hospitality."