Welcome to our spotlight series. This week we feature Lilith Diringer, CEO of ChargeHorizons. The sustainable travel company is based in Dresden, Germany.
Lilith Diringer
CEO, ChargeHorizons
Hi Lilith! What does ChargeHorizons do?
We change the way of traveling to become more sustainable and avoid stereotypical mass booking.
Why is it going to change the world?
Tourism is a huge sector contributing negatively to climate change and global warming. With our initiative ChargeHolidays, we give people transparent insights into sustainable travel, offer accommodations incentives and guidance to sustainably manage their properties, and change mass tourism flows.
What led you to start the company?
It was a combination of noticing the need and market gap and the entrepreneurial spirit and excitement to start something new and impactful.
Where do you go when you need advice?
I contact likeminded start-ups that are based on a mindset similar to mine. Sometimes I also reach out to mentors who have been active in the start-up world for a long time to listen to what they have to say.
What do you wish you could tell yourself at the beginning of the journey?
My intrinsic motivation and the pressure I notice every day, derived from a warming climate and news about un-ecological activities all over the world.
How has the pandemic impacted your business?
As we are a travel business, the pandemic has had a huge impact. On the one hand, people started to rethink the way they travel. They have made some savings over the last years and are willing to pay more now for a more sustainable trip. On the other hand, some are thirsty for traveling and just want to fly away – as cheap as possible without respecting any sustainability criteria. Of course I hope that the second group will diminish while the first will be the new normal quite soon.
What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?
We have just developed an Artificial Intelligence System that makes it possible for our customers to select between 30 picture pairs in order to find out their travel wishes and say goodbye to stereotypical selections of their next destination.
What’s been your most memorable moment since founding the company?
Testing out our Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which made me realize that we finally had created something that works – at least in its basics.
How do you celebrate your wins?
That is very different and depends on the day, time, weather, and mood. But in general I like to go for a walk together with my colleagues.
How can readers support you on your journey?
It is always great when people download our app and tell their friends, family, and employers about it so that more business and leisure trips will be booked via ChargeHolidays. Moreover, people can follow our social media activity, read our blog, and travel more sustainably on their next trip.
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