Montreux, November 28, 2024 – The Glion Institute of Higher Education and its Alumni Association (AAG) are proud to announce the success of the second edition of the Glion Alumni Accelerator Program. This initiative has once again demonstrated the institution’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within the global Glion community. The program culminated on November 27, 2024, with a dynamic pitch battle held at the Glion Montreux campus, where eight finalists presented visionary start-up concepts. The finalists pitched their ideas to a distinguished panel of jury members, including prominent investors and industry leaders, whose expertise and insights underscored the event’s focus on real-world entrepreneurial impact and investment readiness.
POYNTO, a tech-driven capsule hotel concept designed to redefine affordable urban lodging created by Vasily Grogol (Class of ‘16), was awarded first place. Combining the efficiency and cultural heritage of Japanese capsule hotels with enhanced comfort and privacy, POYNTO offers sleek, private sleeping capsules alongside vibrant public spaces, including a co-working area, specialty coffee shop, AI-powered vending machines, and a social lobby. Located in the hearts of major cities, POYNTO delivers a seamless, sustainable, and stylish experience for modern travelers.
Reflecting on his achievement, Vasily Grogol stated: “As the founder of POYNTO, I’m thrilled about the potential of this innovative capsule hotel concept and honored to have been part of the Glion Alumni Accelerator Program. It’s inspiring to see my alma mater supporting young entrepreneurs and bold projects like ours. POYNTO is now actively seeking investments, and we’re excited to connect with partners who share our vision.”
The program also celebrated the innovative achievements of its runners-up. HorecaJob, presented by Claudia Ferrero (Class of ‘91), secured second place. This AI-powered, subscription-based hiring platform offers tailored recruitment solutions for hospitality and catering businesses without dedicated HR resources, addressing a critical need for efficiency and cost management.
In third place, JoIn Hospitality, founded by Roger Obeid (Class of ’77 and ’22), championed accessibility and inclusion in the hospitality sector. The initiative emphasizes the importance of universal design and inclusive practices, aligning with global efforts to create equitable guest experiences.
Ronald Homsy, Vice-President of the Alumni Association Glion (AAG) and Founder & Co-CEO of Aventra Hospitality, highlighted the program’s significance: “The second edition of the Glion Alumni Accelerator Program has once again proven the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation in shaping the future of hospitality, tourism, travel, and luxury. Vasily Grogol’s remarkable start-up, POYNTO, exemplifies the creativity and forward-thinking spirit that our industry needs. At Glion, we believe it is our responsibility to foster such ground-breaking ideas by providing a platform for visionaries to thrive. This is precisely why we launched the Accelerator Program, and with each new edition, we aim to strengthen its impact and evolve it into one of the leading accelerators in our sector, driving change and inspiring excellence.”
The 2024 Accelerator provided two months of tailored mentorship, access to expert guidance, and invaluable opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders. The pitch battle marked the culmination of this journey, underscoring the entrepreneurial spirit of Glion’s students and alumni.
As the Accelerator Program continues to evolve, it reaffirms Glion’s mission to nurture creativity and innovation while building meaningful connections within the global hospitality ecosystem.
For more information about the Glion Institute of Higher Education and its initiatives, visit www.glion.edu.
About Glion Institute of Higher Education
Founded in 1962, Glion Institute of Higher Education is a Swiss institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hospitality, luxury and finance to an international student body across three campuses in Switzerland and London, UK.
Glion is ranked among the world’s top five higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management, and in the top three number for employer reputation since its entry in the ranking in 2018. (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022).
Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Glion is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
For more information, visit glion.edu.
Anouck Weiss
Chief Communication Officer
Glion
