Maps Untold is changing how we explore the world by creating AI-generated maps for travel and adventure. Their platform uses machine learning algorithms to curate personalized travel experiences based on user preferences and real-time conditions. Whether planning a road trip or a global expedition, Maps Untold helps travelers find off-the-beaten-path destinations that match their interests. Maps Untold provides the best personal hotspots for every situation based on your all time favorite go-to places. Creating city super fans and ambassadors along the way and insights about who your visitors are and how to reach them. Dennis van Ravenstein, co-founder, answers our questions.
The AI Pitch Competition
The AI Pitch Competition is a Brabant initiative aimed at showcasing the most innovative AI solutions and allowing startups to present their ideas, connect with industry leaders, and accelerate their growth. The competition is taking place again this year. Ten ambitious AI startups have been selected. The finale will be held on November 7, 2024.
1. What specific AI technology or algorithm is at the core of your solution, and how does it differentiate from existing approaches in the industry?
“At the core of Maps Untold innovation is BERTopic, an advanced algorithm that uses deep learning for embedding, combined with GenAI to fine-tune topic representation and enhance AI explainability. While large language models like ChatGPT are great for conversational experiences, we focus on delivering a more seamless and efficient solution for travelers. Our approach avoids the “cold start” problem by training on large datasets, ensuring instant, accurate recommendations. This makes our AI better suited for personalized suggestions, offering higher-quality results without the need for chat-based interactions.”
2. How scalable is your AI solution, and what are the primary challenges you anticipate in bringing it to a global or large-scale market?
“Our primary challenge is scaling the business model. While we have a strong pipeline of integration partners to grow our user base, we are now focused on expanding the restaurant reservation model. We successfully tested this locally, acquiring 20 customers in Eindhoven, but scaling through reservation software integration partners is new territory for us. Leveraging these partners’ user bases will be key, but navigating this expansion at scale is the next hurdle.”
3. How does your startup address potential ethical concerns related to bias, fairness, or transparency in AI decision-making? Can you provide an example of how you mitigate such risks?
“We prioritize user privacy and don’t rely on social media logins or personal data. Instead, users simply input a favorite restaurant from home, and our AI generates tailored recommendations for their destination. Unlike systems tied to finances or security, which can carry significant risks, the worst case for us might be a disappointing dining experience. However, we never allow businesses to pay for prioritized placement. Our algorithm is entirely user-focused, designed to deliver the best possible recommendations based solely on individual preferences.”
4. In what ways do you believe your AI solution can positively impact society? Are there any unintended societal risks or challenges you foresee, and do you prepare to handle them?
“Maps Untold enhances travel by reducing information overload and guiding users to authentic, lesser-known spots. By highlighting hidden gems, we boost local businesses that might otherwise go unnoticed. While we aim to drive traffic to these locations, we’re mindful of the risks of over-commercialization. To promote sustainable tourism, we plan to implement features that steer users away from overcrowded areas, ensuring a balanced, responsible travel experience.”
5. What has been the biggest hurdle in launching your AI startup, and how did you overcome it? How has the current AI landscape shaped your business model and growth strategy?
“Breaking into the competitive leisure and travel software market required proving our reliability. Through pilot tests in Eindhoven, engaging over 100 local touchpoints—restaurants, hotels, and leisure spots—we demonstrated our solution’s effectiveness. Our zero churn rate among paying restaurants reflects the trust we’ve built. These successful pilots have positioned Maps Untold as a trusted partner, laying the foundation for future growth.”
6. How do you prepare for the increasing regulatory frameworks around AI, such as GDPR, AI Act, or other data privacy laws? How does this impact your innovation and development process?
“We prioritize user privacy by avoiding social media logins and personal data collection. Instead, we focus on user preferences, asking only for a favorite restaurant from home to generate recommendations. This ethical design approach ensures compliance with privacy laws like GDPR and keeps us ahead of regulatory requirements, delivering personalized suggestions without tracking or identifying the user.”
7. How do you see your technology evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role do you expect your company to play in shaping the future of AI?
“Our vision is to become the largest B2B2C personalized travel application in Europe within the next four years, with plans to expand globally. By continuously enhancing our AI-driven platform, we aim to shape the future of travel, offering dynamic, real-time personalization while promoting sustainable tourism and enriching the traveler’s experience worldwide.”
8. Why are you going to win the AI Pitch Competition?
“At Maps Untold, we’re transforming the way you explore destinations with our personalized AI-driven city guide, enabling you to uncover hidden gems that match your unique preferences. Despite strong competition, our solid local validation in Eindhoven and strategic partnerships in travel and leisure software set us apart. By enhancing in-trip experiences through innovation and leveraging our partners’ user bases, we’re ready to redefine the future of travel.”
Collaboration
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