Travee Live at the fvw Elevator Pitch: AI Travel Companionship for Tourism's Future
On August 19, we had the opportunity to present Travee live at the fvw|TravelTalk studio in Hamburg as part of its major Elevator Pitch. Alongside Banaki and SpotAR, we shared what drives us and how young companies can help shape the future of tourism.
Ten minutes to share our vision
The format gave each start-up a clear challenge: explain in a ten-minute pitch which problem it solves and how its idea creates value for the travel industry.
Travee Co-Founders Lam Tuyen Mildenstrey and Conrad Mildenstrey took to the studio floor to present our vision for an AI travel companion that supports people beyond their initial research and throughout the entire journey — from inspiration and planning to on-the-ground orientation and discovery.
Travelers can interact with Travee through chat and voice. Live camera capabilities add another layer, enabling the AI to understand a traveler's current situation and tailor recommendations to the moment. Navigation and personalized audio guides then connect the planning experience with the journey at the destination itself.
Immediate feedback in the studio
We especially appreciated seeing an immediate reaction to the product. Morris Mehnert, Founder of Banaki, tried Travee during our pitch and shared his enthusiasm in the discussion that followed.
"We always enjoy introducing people to Travee — especially when they try the app right away and respond so positively."
— Lam Tuyen Mildenstrey, Co-Founder of Travee
The other two start-ups also brought promising ideas to the session. Banaki brings bookable camping, glamping, and outdoor stays together in one platform for nature-focused travel. SpotAR uses augmented reality to make cities and their history come alive on location — without requiring an app download.
Innovation needs conversation
After the pitches, the founders joined Michael Buller, Chairman of the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb (VIR), and the fvw|TravelTalk team to discuss the biggest challenges facing young companies, the tourism industry's openness to innovation, and each start-up's next steps.
This open exchange is exactly what makes formats such as the fvw Elevator Pitch so valuable to us. Technology alone will not transform travel. What matters is connecting it with a genuine understanding of travelers and the industry — and discussing openly how a vision can become a sustainable product.
Our thanks go to Alexander Krug and Lea Sommer for creating such a welcoming atmosphere, to fvw|TravelTalk for the invitation, and to the VIR for making the opportunity possible. We also thank Banaki and SpotAR for the open exchange and wish both teams every success on the road ahead.
Read more about the three start-ups and the discussion in the article on fvw. A recording of the session is also available from fvw.