Israeli startup wins first place in U.N. competition

A total of 2,771 companies from 132 countries submitted their candidacy for the competition, while out of the ten finalists, four of them were Israeli.

JANUARY 24, 2019 18:50

Updated: JANUARY 26, 2019 18:13

Uri Levine, Co-Founder & Chairman+Ziv Tirosh, Co-Founder and CEO, Refundit (photo credit: REFUNDIT) — Uri Levine, Co-Founder & Chairman+Ziv Tirosh, Co-Founder and CEO, Refundit

(photo credit: REFUNDIT)

Refundit, an Israeli startup which revolutionizes the field of tax-free shopping for tourists, has won the first place prize in the World Tourism Organization travel-tech competition on Thursday.

The global travel-tech competition, held for the first time, by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in partnership with Globalia, the leading tourism group in Spain and Latin America, sought innovative startups capable of transforming the way people travel and experience tourism, while adhering closely to the principles of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental).

A total of 2,771 companies from 132 countries submitted their candidacy for the competition, while out of the ten finalists, four of them were Israeli, but there can only be one winner.

CONGRATULATIONS Refundit!The #winner of the 1st ☝ #UNWTO Startup Competition 3000 projects132 countries1 champion Thank you all for your drive to innovate and propel forward #SustainableTourism @Globalia_corp pic.twitter.com/sOTVjSXfJS
— World Tourism Organization (@UNWTO) 23 בינואר 2019

Refundit, founded by Uri Levine, Waze co-founder and serial entrepreneur, and Ziv Tirosh, co-founder of Stockton, is an Israeli startup which revolutionizes the field of tax-free shopping, making the process easier and efficient - with no lines or paperwork, saving tourists time and money.

"We are excited by the recognition we received from the World Tourism Organization to the contribution of Refundit to global tourism economy and tourists' experience," Ziv Tirosh, Founding Partner and CEO of Refundit commented.

The UNTWO's competition promised the winner will have the opportunity to carry out a pilot project with the Globalia Group and the finalists will have access to the leading actors in the world tourism sector.