Two hospitality experts have announced the launch of a start-up incubator intended to inspire and accelerate transformation in the industry.
KUBE Ventures will be unveiled to the world at Dubai’s Arabian and African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) this week.
Founded by Michael Levie and David Keen, KUBE will partner with hospitality start-ups to make sure the next generation of the industry is operating in line with the most dynamic industries globally.
Over the course of his career, Levie has worked for hotel groups including Sonesta International Hotels Corporation and NH Hotels. He is also founding partner and COO at citizenM hotels.
Speaking about his new venture, he said: “We want to give back to the hospitality industry. All of our shareholders have united with a crystal-clear purpose. We want to catalyse transformation: be it in technology, operations or human resources.”
Keen is a brand strategist and CEO of branding and communications agency QUO. He added: “The moment is now. The post-pandemic era is one of extraordinary opportunity. Our purpose is to realise our industry’s potential and to bring it up to par with the world’s most dynamic industries and organisations.”
As well as Levie and Keen, KUBE has some of the world’s foremost entrepreneurs and disruptors on board, who all share the values of the founders and a drive to create fundamental change in the industry.
Supporting KUBE Ventures’ overall mission are KUBE Circle and KUBE Conscience.
KUBE Circle brings together leaders, veterans and visionaries in the hospitality industry to form a global think tank for knowledge sharing, education and networking.
KUBE Conscience is a board acting as a governing body for KUBE Ventures, measuring the values and potential of each entity.
Levie and Keen will be at AHIC today (Monday September 20) for a discussion with CEO of Kerten Hospitality Marloes Knippenberg. They will take to the stage at 4pm for a talk titled ‘How do we foster transformation and change in hospitality’.
Speaking to Hotelier, Keen said: “I couldn’t be more proud to be launching KUBE here in Dubai at AHIC. The region is also home to the future of tourism, in Saudi Arabia. The talent and power of what’s happening there within the next five to ten years, people haven’t even been able to imagine before.”
For more information on AHIC, click here. To find out more about KUBE Ventures, click here.
Keep an eye on the Hotelier site for an exclusive interview with Levie and Keen.