The UN Tourism Innovation Network is proud to present the Female Founders Scale-Up Challenge, an exclusive event celebrating female entrepreneurs in tourism. Finalists will showcase their scaled-up businesses during the prestigious Japan Expo on April 28, 2025, in the Cartier Women's Pavilion, Osaka, Japan.

Women play a vital role in the tourism sector, comprising 54% of its workforce. Yet, only 23.8% of startups in our Innovation Network are female-led. This challenge aims to bridge that gap, highlighting women-led startups that have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, and impact since being recognized in previous UN Tourism initiatives.

The Female Founders Scale-Up Challenge is exclusively open to startups previously recognized as finalists or winners of UN Tourism initiatives. This initiative celebrates their growth and impact in areas such as:

• Job creation
• Innovative business models
• Investment attraction
• Sustainable and scalable operations

Challenge Objective

To spotlight and empower exceptional female founders who have:

• Scaled their businesses with innovative models.
• Created sustainable jobs and attracted significant investments.
• Positively impacted local communities and promoted environmental sustainability.

Who Can Participate?

Eligibility is limited to:

• Female founders or co-founders of startups in the tourism sector.
• Previous winners or finalists of any UN Tourism initiative.
• Startups demonstrating sustained job creation, scalable business growth, and community or environmental impact.

Applicants must demonstrate sustained growth in areas such as (but not limited to):

• Employee numbers
• Operational capabilities
• Impact
• Market reach

Why Participate?

This challenge offers a unique opportunity to:

• Gain international exposure at one of the most prestigious tourism events globally.
• Connect with industry leaders, investors, and global networks.
• Celebrate your achievements in a world-class forum.
• Showcase your startup's scalability and impact on a global stage.

Benefits for Participants

• Global Recognition: Present your achievements at one of the most prestigious tourism events worldwide.
• Networking Opportunities: Engage with global leaders, investors, and innovators in tourism.
• Visibility: Amplify your story through the UN Tourism Innovation Network's international platform.