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Follow Tania Peitzker in LinkedIn
Tell us about yourself?
I’m a serial entrepreneur. As a woman, I’m in the less than 1% of founders who gets capital. Being an older expat makes me even rarer. On top of that, I’ve made a name for myself in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies globally. The % of women in that tech niche of AI R&D is really low and since the pandemic is been decreasing.
What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?
Never give up. Failure is valuable. Believe in yourself and your innovation ��� It you get rejected, just remind yourself of all the small victories.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Don’t underestimate your worth. As a female entrepreneur, be prepared for the automatic discrimination and pick your battles.
A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?
Yes that’s tough. Sedentary work at a computer is the biggest problem. I now try to streamline work at a screen and reduce communication that’s not necessary.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
The average consumer what’s to travel in a sustainable way. Smart Green Tours is working out how to do that. With a focus on Smart Cities in the EU and EMEA.
What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?
Nobody is looking at the historic Smart Cities that have been established in Europe for decades now. It’s like a tour of the pioneers and classics so emerging tech knows where it’s origins are.
How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?
I am launching with Strategic Partners for sales as of Quarter 2. The first Quarter of 2024 is for lead up PR and marketing through the Peitzker Prizes eg my Spotify podcast “Innovations Solving the Climate Crisis” and my Eventbrite talks.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?
Bootstrapping it. Finding revenue sources ahead of the official launch. Using my network to fund supporters and “natural allies”.
Europe is increasingly becoming a centre for innovation. Have you noticed a growth in the startup ecosystem in your country?
Yes that’s why we’re based here. Look up my work on this at www.muckrack.com/taniapeitzker I’ve also published books on this at www.amazon.com/author/taniapeitzker
What do you view as the role of the EU in boosting innovation and helping startups grow? Have you benefited at all from the EU?
Yes we have benefitted a lot from events and conferences I the EU. I gave a talk on EU regulations of AI, virtual worlds and immersive technologies at the Berlin Gen AI Summit in November 2023. See my Substack post for the presentation – drtaniapeitzker.substack.com
What do you view as the role of your local countries government in boosting innovation and helping startups grow? Have you benefited at all from the your governments support of startups?
Not in the UK. In Switzerland very much so. I’ve had interest from local governments in Germany and France but think the factors of being an older, expat woman have curtailed their actual support in the end.
The EU is a big family of countries. Has being a member of the EU (or simply being in Europe), opened up opportunities for your company to sell cross-border?
Yes absolutely. That’s why I am launching from Switzerland, the UK, Germany, Italy and France. It’s the ease of doing business and mobility for my customers and partners.
COVID has had a huge impact on reshaping the travel industry. How has this impacted your business and how have you adapted?
Airlines need to look at eco fuel or travellers will effectively boycott long distance trips. They want to reduce their carbon footprint with rail and buses.
What makes your company stand out as a travel startup/company?
Nobody else is using Artificial Intelligence apps to create the business Intelligence asked actual digital products for www.smartgreentours.com
What excites you most about working in the Travel industry?
Exciting innovations changing the climate crisis in Smart Cities. I have published a preliminary list of Eco Destinations at www.smartgreentours.com
What are some of the biggest challenges in travel that innovators and other startups often face?
Their is over saturation in terms of marketing, advertising and vendors. How to stand out as Sustainability advocates.
 Tell us a bit about your culture. What makes your companies culture unique?
We are cosmopolitan and love new tech. Early adopters and climate change activists. We advocate using Green Tech in travel.
In your opinion, what are the most exciting trends in Travel right now?
Trying to reduce carbon emissions by using cutting edge technologies. Eco fuel for airlines, self driving shuttle buses, green tech applications for marketing and customer service.
And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?
Just search for Smart Green Tours. And sign up for the podcast and online events! Just search on Spotify for Innovations Solving The Climate Crisis or online for the Peitzker Prizes.
Follow Smart Green Tours and the Peitzker Prizes in LinkedIn
