FAQS
INDEX.
I. WHAT IS THE BOOKING BOOSTER?
II. WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BOOKING BOOSTER?
III. WHAT IS THE PRIZE?
IV. HOW DO I BECOME A FINALIST?
V. WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH MY APPLICATION?
VI. WHY IS BOOKING.COM DOING THIS?
VII. WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
VIII. WHAT STAGES AND DATES ARE KEY TO THE PROGRAMME?
IX. DOES BOOKING.COM TAKE EQUITY?
If you have any questions that aren't covered here or in the Terms & Conditions
I. WHAT IS THE BOOKING BOOSTER?
Booking.com’s accelerator programme and fund to support important, innovative players in different sectors throughout the entire sustainable tourism ecosystem. By identifying, funding and mentoring early stage startups, social enterprises, scale-ups and the non-profit projects and changemakers from and NGOs that bring them all together, Booking.com hopes to make an even more meaningful impact to affect real change and to promote a healthy and sustainable future for thousands of destinations all around the world.
II. WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BOOKING BOOSTER?
The program is open to startups, social enterprises, non-profit organizations and accommodations. The 2020 Booking Booster will consist of two complementary programs exclusively focussed on sustainable accommodation:
MAY PROGRAM: Products and Services - 6 May to 15 May, 2020
This program supports products and services that can help accommodations to become sustainable. Booking.com is looking for organizations that are working on solutions in the following categories that can scale their solution to accommodations in multiple regions.
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Waste: reduction, conservation, or recycling of waste
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Water: reduction conservation of water used by accommodation or the property
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Energy and greenhouse gases: reduction of energy and/or greenhouse gases generated or used by the accommodation
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Destination and community: empowerment and engagement of local community
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Biodiversity and ecosystems: preservation and restoration of the natural environment and wildlife
SEPTEMBER PROGRAM: Accommodations - 2 September to 11 September, 2020
This program supports accommodations in developing their efforts to operate more sustainably and scale their impact. This includes accommodations that are already sustainable or those just starting their sustainability journey. A group of selected participants from both programs will present live on stage as part of the Booster finale in September.
To make the shortlist you should:
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Have a proven business model with demonstrable impact and a readiness to scale to multiple destinations;
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Want to be part of a community that are turning tourism into a force for good; and
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Be open to learn from and share experiences with other participants, working together with Booking.com to have more impact in the sector.
All applicants must be fluent in English and should check their availability before applying for the Booking Booster. Each team must have two representatives attend the program, both fluent in English. Please check your availability (for both dates) before applying for Booking Booster. If you are unable to attend the Booster program no alternative actions will be taken and your application will be canceled.
Application and, if applicable, participation in the Booster Program is free of charge. See the Terms & Conditions for more details.
III. WHAT IS THE PRIZE?
Selected organizations will be invited to attend the accelerator program in Amsterdam, they will have a dedicated Booking.com mentor, enjoy access to a pool of additional Booking.com experts as well as training on business and impact scaling. Additionally, all organizations will receive ongoing mentorship for up to 12 months after the end of the program, will get ongoing access to the Booking.com volunteer program. Finally, the top organizations will be awarded a share of the €2.6 million fund.
IV. HOW DO I BECOME A FINALIST?
May Program: Products and Services
Apply with the Booking.com application form and upload the necessary materials before 29 February, 2020. If shortlisted, you will also be asked to participate in a phone interview. Finally, if selected to join the program, you will have to submit requested due diligence documentation on which your participation is pending.
September Program: Accommodations
Apply with the Booking.com application form and upload the necessary materials before 21 June, 2020. If shortlisted, you will also be asked to participate in a phone interview. Finally, if selected to join the program, you will have to submit requested due diligence documentation on which your participation is pending.
V. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH MY APPLICATION?
You can contact support@younoodle.com for any technical issues with your application. For any questions on the content of the form or your responses, you can contact our team directly at booster@booking.com.
VI. WHY IS BOOKING.COM DOING THIS?
In helping travelers to explore and experience more than 155,000 unique destinations all over the world, Booking.com also seeks to contribute to the ongoing health of these same destinations so that future generations can continue to enjoy them for years to come.
The Booking Booster program has been specially designed to support important, innovative players in different sectors throughout the entire sustainable tourism ecosystem. By identifying, funding and mentoring early stage startups, social enterprises scale-ups and the non-profit projects and changemakers from and NGOs that bring them all together, Booking.com hopes to make an even more meaningful impact to affect real change and to promote a healthy and sustainable future for thousands of destinations all around the world.
VII. WHAT ARE THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
The judges will review applications keeping the following categories in mind:
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Positive impact on tourism;
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Genuine, scalable solution;
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Sound growth strategy;
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Structured financials and realistic projections;
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Established team and proven leadership
*Criteria are; Impact, Growth Strategy, Financials, Value for Accommodations, and Team & Leadership. For more info, check our T&Cs.
VIII. WHAT STAGES AND DATES ARE KEY TO THE PROGRAM?
KEY DATES FOR THE BOOKING BOOSTER MAY PROGRAM*
The global application process opens: 09.00 CET 28 January 2020
Applications close: 23.59 CET on 29 February 2020
Candidate Shortlisted organizations are contacted for an interview: Week of 16 March 2020
Phone interviews: Between 9 March and 20 March 2020
Shortlisted organizations confirmed and invited to the May Booster Program: Week of 30 March 2020
Shortlisted organizations attend May Booster Program in Amsterdam: 6 May to 15 May 2020
KEY DATES FOR THE BOOKING BOOSTER SEPTEMBER PROGRAM*
The global application process opens: 09.00 CET 28 January 2020
Applications close: 23.59 CET on 21 June 2020 (application has been extended)
Candidate Shortlisted Participants are contacted for an interview: By 3 July 2020
Phone interviews: Between 6 July and 17 July 2020
Shortlisted Participants confirmed and invited to the 8-day September Booster Program: Week of 20 July 2020
Shortlisted Participants attend 8-day September Booster Program in Amsterdam: 2 September to 11 September 2020
Final Pitch and Value of grants announced: Week of 17 September 2020
*dates may be altered by the Promoter
IX. DOES BOOKING.COM TAKE EQUITY?
No, Booking.com does not take any equity from your business. The financial support given will be in the form of a grant. In return, Booking.com will request updates on how your business and impact of your efforts are growing for up to 3 years after the completion of the program. We will use this information on the program website and other external channels.