Terms & Conditions / Program Regulation

 

1. Object and Definition

Tourism Advance is an open innovation program promoted by Fábrica de Startups, in partnership with Turismo de Portugal.

The program is designed to connect companies from the tourism sector, particularly hospitality and tourist accommodation companies, with startups developing innovative solutions that can respond to real business, operational and market challenges.

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The main purpose of Tourism Advance is to promote collaboration between tourism companies and startups, supporting the development, adaptation and validation of solutions with potential application in real or semi-prototyped environments.

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Tourism Advance follows Fábrica de Startups methodology, based on open innovation, Lean Startup, Customer Development and startup-corporate collaboration principles. Throughout the program, selected startups may participate in matchmaking sessions, bootcamps, mentoring or working sessions, and a final presentation moment, according to the program calendar.

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2. Eligibility of Applications

Applications to Tourism Advance are open to national and international startups with solutions applicable to the tourism sector, including hospitality, local accommodation, tourist resorts, hostels and other relevant areas of the tourism value chain.

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Startups may apply if they:

• Have an innovative product, service, technology or business solution;

• Present clear applicability to the challenges identified by the participating companies;

• Are in prototype, launch, operational or growth stage;

• Demonstrate technical and operational capacity to develop, adapt or test their solution;

• Have a committed team available to participate in the program activities;

Show potential to collaborate with companies from the tourism sector.

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The program is not primarily intended for projects that are only at idea stage. However, Fábrica de Startups may consider applications from early-stage projects if the team demonstrates strong execution capacity and the proposed solution has clear potential to address the program challenges.

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Fábrica de Startups reserves the right to accept applications from startups operating outside the tourism sector, provided that their solution can be applied to tourism and responds to at least one of the challenges presented by the participating companies.

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3. Program Calendar

The program calendar will be communicated on the official Tourism Advance website and may include the following stages:

• Applications opening - 3 June

• Applications closing - 23 August

• Application review and selection - 01 to 10 of September 

• Matchmaking sessions between startups and participating companies - 14 to 22  september

• Bootcamps and working sessions - 01 to 22 of October

• Demo Day or final presentation event - 28 of October 

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The dates, format and structure of the program may be adjusted by Fábrica de Startups whenever necessary to ensure the proper execution of the program.

 

4. Application and Selection Process

Applications must be submitted through the official form available on the Tourism Advance website.

An application will only be considered valid after the full submission of the application form. Fábrica de Startups may request additional information from applicant startups whenever necessary for the evaluation and selection process.

 

The selection process may include several stages:

Application review:

• Evaluation of the solution’s fit with the program challenges;

• Request for additional information or interview, if applicable;

• Pre-selection for matchmaking sessions;
   

Selection for bootcamps, pilot development support or final presentation stages, whenever applicable.

Applications will be reviewed by Fábrica de Startups, with the possible involvement of Turismo de Portugal, participating companies, mentors, jury members, advisory board members or other entities involved in the program.

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Selected startups will be notified by email. Fábrica de Startups is not required to provide individual justification for the acceptance or rejection of applications.
 

5. Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

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Fit with the Programme Challenges
Relevance of the solution to the challenges identified by the participating companies.

 

Solution Maturity
Existence of a product, service, technology or business model that is already in prototype, launch, operational or growth stage.

 

Applicability to Tourism
Capacity of the solution to be applied to the tourism sector, particularly hospitality, accommodation or other relevant areas of the tourism value chain.

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Implementation Potential
Capacity to adapt, test or develop the solution in collaboration with a participating company.

 

Team Capacity
Experience, commitment and availability of the team to participate in the programme and engage with companies.

 

Pilot Potential
Potential for the collaboration to evolve into a pilot, commercial partnership or another form of continuity after the programme.

 

6. Participation Terms

Participation in Tourism Advance is free of charge for selected startups, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Selected startups commit to actively participating in the activities defined by the program, which may include preparation sessions, matchmaking meetings, bootcamps, mentoring sessions, working sessions, meetings with participating companies and the final event.

 

• During the program, startups may be required to:

• Prepare and present their solution;

• Participate in meetings with participating companies;

• Adapt their value proposition to the challenges identified;

• Define a potential use case or pilot proposal;

• Identify objectives, metrics, required resources and implementation steps;

• Share relevant information on the progress of the collaboration;

• Present their work at the final event, if selected for that stage.

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The program may have an intensive agenda. Participants should be available to work on their project and collaboration opportunities outside the scheduled sessions, whenever necessary.

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Participation in Tourism Advance does not guarantee the development of a pilot, commercial contract, investment, funding, prize or any other business opportunity. Any collaboration resulting from the program will depend on the interest, alignment and agreement between the startup and the participating company.

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7. Matchmaking, Bootcamps and Pilot Development

Pre-selected startups may be invited to participate in matchmaking sessions with participating companies. These sessions are designed to present solutions aligned with the challenges identified by the companies and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

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The program also include bootcamps, working sessions or mentoring sessions to support startups in validating their solution, structuring the collaboration and preparing a potential pilot with a participating company.

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Whenever there is mutual interest between a startup and a participating company, a pilot or collaboration plan may be developed. The specific conditions of each pilot, including scope, duration, responsibilities, resources, data access, costs, intellectual property, confidentiality and continuity, must be agreed directly between the startup and the participating company, whenever applicable.

 

Fábrica de Startups acts as a facilitator and methodological support entity. It is not responsible for the technical development, implementation or commercial success of the solution, nor for the final decision to proceed with a pilot.

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8. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

Startups agree to treat as confidential any sensitive, strategic, operational, commercial, technical or financial information shared by Fábrica de Startups, participating companies or other program partners. Fábrica de Startups will also treat as confidential any non-public information shared by startups in the context of the application, selection and participation process.

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Each startup is responsible for managing and protecting its own intellectual property, including ideas, products, services, technologies, software, methodologies, brands, know-how and any other assets presented during the program.

Participation in Tourism Advance does not imply the transfer of intellectual property rights to Fábrica de Startups, Turismo de Portugal, participating companies or any other program partners.

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All presentations, methodologies, templates, tools and support materials made available by Fábrica de Startups during the program are the intellectual property of Fábrica de Startups and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or used outside the scope of the program without prior authorisation.

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9. Communication and Image Rights

Tourism Advance sessions and events may be photographed or recorded.

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By participating in the program, participants authorise Fábrica de Startups, Turismo de Portugal and program partners to use their image, voice, name, startup name, logo, public description, photographs, videos, testimonials and publicly shared information for communication, promotion, reporting and dissemination purposes related to Tourism Advance.

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If a participant or startup wishes to limit the use of their image, logo or public information, they must communicate this request in writing to Fábrica de Startups.

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10. Responsibility

Fábrica de Startups, Turismo de Portugal and any participating company or program partner cannot be held responsible for any cancellation, postponement, change of schedule, change of format or modification of the program due to unforeseen causes, operational reasons, decisions of partner entities or force majeure events.

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Fábrica de Startups is not responsible for commercial, technical, financial, legal or strategic decisions made between startups and participating companies during or after the program.

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Startups are responsible for the accuracy of the information submitted in their application and for the legality, originality and compliance of the solutions, technologies, products or services presented.

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11. Exclusions and Limitations

Fábrica de Startups reserves the right to exclude, cancel or reject any application, idea, startup, team, company or participant at any stage of the Tourism Advance program.

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Exclusion may occur in cases including false, incomplete or misleading information, failure to comply with the participation terms, lack of availability or commitment, inappropriate behaviour, misuse of confidential information, violation of third-party intellectual property rights, illegal or unethical activity, or any behaviour that may compromise the integrity, reputation or proper functioning of the program.

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12. Data Protection and Privacy Policy

By submitting an application to Tourism Advance, participants confirm that they have read and accepted the Privacy and Cookie Policy applicable to the program.

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Personal data collected through the application form and during the program will be processed for the purposes of application evaluation, participant selection, program management, communication with participants, organisation of activities, reporting and follow-up related to Tourism Advance.

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For more information on how personal data is collected, processed, stored and protected, participants should consult the Privacy and Cookie Policy available on the Tourism Advance website.

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13. Acceptance of the Regulation

Submission of the application to Tourism Advance implies full acceptance of this regulation.

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Participation in the program implies the commitment to comply with the rules, deadlines, guidelines and conditions communicated by Fábrica de Startups throughout the different stages of the program.