News Briefs
- 6/30/2024
OTA Ranking Booster Otamiser Secures $3M in Funding
Otamiser, the world’s first online travel agency (OTA) ranking management platform, has successfully raised $3 million USD in its first funding round.The raise was led by Pitchdrive VC, under the expertise and leadership of Wim Derkinderen, Boris Bogaert, and Koen Christiaens. Pitchdrive is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology start-ups in a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality technology.The new capital will support Otamiser’s plans to expand to 1,000 hotels and 100,000 short-term rentals worldwide, through expansion of its commercial team. More than 76 hoteliers and a roster of PMCs with over 10,000 units between them in nine countries currently use the platform.Otamiser helps hoteliers and property managers increase their revenue through higher OTA rankings and an innovative approach to revenue management. Since its inception in 2022, the company has demonstrated impressive growth, reaching an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of €1.8 million ($1.9 million USD1) and expanding to a team of 32 employees worldwide, all without external capital.Its solution connects revenue management with OTA ranking optimization, ensuring that properties secure top positions on OTAs while meticulously managing prices to unlock the full potential of every room. As a result, Otamiser customers see their occupancy rates increase by an average of 11% and their overall profits rise significantly by an average of 24%.Otamiser’s core team consists of five young, driven, and ambitious entrepreneurs. CEO Bart-Jan Leyt’s leadership is aided by Korneel Defauw, Co-Founder & CRO, and a strong management team including Lucas Ballyn (CTO), Nils Casteur (CCO), and Jarne Vancompernolle (COO).Bart-Jan Leyts, CEO and Founder of Otamiser, said: “This raise is a testament to our innovative approach and the market’s need for our platform. While direct booking websites remain important, the reality is that nearly 75% of bookings now come through platforms like Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb, and positioning on these platforms is crucial. There is a huge demand from hoteliers and property managers to rank higher on OTAs.“With this new capital, we’re going to enhance our existing Otamiser data-driven tools, and launch a new AI-driven product for Airbnb operators. We will also expand our commercial team to capture market share quickly. We’re determined to transform the way the hospitality industry leverages online booking platforms. With Pitchdrive VC as our partner, we’re in the perfect position to ramp up our international expansion.”Joining Pitchdrive VC are an impressive array of investors including Stijn Christiaens, co-founder of Collibra; Jacob Quartier, formerly of Showpad; Peter van Praet, founder of Bavet; Viktor De Maertelaere of Hospitality House hotel chain; Lorenz Bogaert, serial entrepreneur behind Netlog and StarApps; and the dynamic duo behind startup wonder Henchman, Jorn Vanysacker and Gilles Mattelin.Wim Derkinderen, Co-Founder of Pitchdrive VC, added: “From the first contact with Otamiser, we realised how much potential this team has. Their relentless drive, vision and execution power (almost $2 million ARR accomplished fully bootstrapped) combined with their dedication is very uncommon and extremely promising. They operate in the enormous market of hospitality with very big upwards potential.“Pitchdrive is not only leading the first funding round of Otamiser but we’re also excited to support them into the next phase of growth.”Korneel Defauw, Co-Founder & CRO of Otamiser, explains: "Just having a website used to be enough in hospitality but now, if you don’t rank high, you can be dooming yourself to weak occupancy and rates forever. On OTAs, around three-quarters of bookings can be claimed by the top 15 listings, so good positioning is, without question, one of the most important things an operator or property manager must achieve.“By securing those coveted top spots, we significantly increase our customers’ chances of attracting more bookings and maximizing revenue. This strategic advantage has become a key priority for everyone because the market today is so competitive.” - 4/16/2024
Steak n Shake Deploys Biometric Check In
PopID and Steak n Shake announced today that all Steak n Shake locations in the United States now accept PopID Check In (to review favorite orders and loyalty points) and PopPay for checkout. With more than 300 locations, Steak n Shake is the first national restaurant brand in the United States to adopt biometric check-in and checkout nationwide. PopID’s biometric check-in feature makes kiosk ordering faster, easier, and more personalized.
The implementation of PopID in every Steak n Shake location was accomplished rapidly and at low cost through a partnership between PopID and ACRELEC, a leading supplier of kiosk-ordering hardware and drive-through products. Cameras were shipped to every restaurant for attachment to the existing ACRELEC kiosks. “As explained in our recent publication, ACRELEC believes that our integrated biometric solution provides various benefits to restaurant operators related to throughput, ticket size, and loyalty engagement,” says Bruno Lo-Re, President of ACRELEC America.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with PopID and to be on the edge of biometric technology for the benefit of our customers. Our guests now have the option to use biometrics for a faster and more seamless experience,” says Sardar Biglari, Chairman of Biglari Holdings, the parent company of Steak n Shake.
Now that biometrics are enabled for all ordering and payment inside Steak n Shake restaurants, PopID and Steak n Shake will begin implementing biometric check-in and checkout at the restaurant’s drive-through units. “Similar to the kiosks, biometric check in can increase loyalty participation and revenue at the drive thru while also reducing payment processing costs,” says John Miller, CEO of PopID and Chairman of Cali Group. “Additionally, biometric payment at the order confirmation screen enables staff members to work on tasks other than taking payments by card and phone at the order pick-up window.”
- 7/1/2024
Mews Sponsors Hotelschool The Hague’s Sustainable Hospitality Challenge for Greener Travel
Mews, a hospitality cloud, is an official sponsor for Hotelschool The Hague’s Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, an initiative that aims to champion the evolution of eco-friendly hospitality.
The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) is in its 10th year and has evolved into a global knowledge-based initiative. Targeted at future-thinking students around the world, it aims to stimulate and create investment in innovative, sustainable solutions that will have a tangible impact on the industry.
“It’s a real privilege to support an event that has such an important message, and it’s heartening to see such passionate and brilliant engagement from the future generation of hospitality professionals,” said Matt Welle, CEO at Mews. “I can’t wait to see the ideas the challenge generates.”
SHC is the biggest student challenge within hospitality. Students from over 75 of the world’s top universities present products and solutions to a ‘Shark Tank’ of industry leaders, including support from the likes of UN Tourism, Accor, Hilton and Marriott.
“We are incredibly excited to have Mews on board as a sponsor of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge,” said Paul Griep, Director of Alumni & Industry Relations at Hotelschool The Hague and founder of SHC. “Mews brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the challenge with their expertise in hospitality technology. Their commitment to sustainability will inspire our students to think outside the box and explore new dimensions of hospitality innovation. Their involvement not only elevates the prestige of the challenge but also broadens the horizons of what sustainable solutions can be in our industry.”
Hotelschool The Hague, is the proud founder of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, provides high-quality education and cutting-edge research in the field of international hospitality management, with an emphasis on the transformation of sustainability and digitalization. Ultimately, developing students into sought-after hospitality graduates who excel in leadership roles worldwide.
The sponsorship is the latest in a long series of actions by Mews that advocate for more eco-conscious travel. A unique partnership and integration with Hotels for Trees has seen over 40,000 trees planted in place of housekeeping turnovers, saving 20,000 hours of housekeeping services. Mews has also published many materials to encourage hoteliers to act more sustainably – including a guide to the Green Hotel of the Future – and a dedicated internal committee on climate action.
- 6/29/2024
SpotOn is the Newest Addition to the US Foods CHECK Business Tools Program, Bringing Restaurants Technology with a Personal Touch
SpotOn,a software and payments partner for restaurants, announced that it has been added to the U.S. Foods CHECK Business Tools program. This program provides foodservice operators with a growing suite of technology solutions designed to drive traffic, simplify staffing, and modernize operations. The collaboration between U.S. Foods and SpotOn will empower US Foods customers with the point-of-sale, labor management, and other technology they need to succeed on their own terms.With a shared commitment to best-in-class support and a personal touch, SpotOn will bring its fully integrated restaurant operating system to US Food’s customers nationwide. Known for flexible, cloud-based technology complemented by personalized support, SpotOn offers solutions that enable restaurants to process payments, streamline operations, and create exceptional employee and guest experiences.“This collaboration with US Foods is a significant step for SpotOn in reaching hundreds of thousands of restaurant operators nationwide,” said Mark Brodahl, Chief Revenue Officer of SpotOn. “US Foods’s commitment to the restaurant industry aligns with SpotOn’s mission to help restaurant operators everywhere thrive with great technology and best-in-class service and support with a human touch. Together, we will help restaurants run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable operations with the right tech and the right partners.”SpotOn's restaurant operating system combines point-of-sale (POS) systems, commission-free and fee-free online ordering and reservations, labor management software, and more. SpotOn technology helps restaurants streamline daily operations, reduce overhead costs, and enable their team to focus on what matters most–providing exceptional guest experiences. In addition to its technology suite, SpotOn offers a range of customer engagement and automated marketing tools to help restaurants increase customer loyalty and drive repeat business. From digital loyalty programs and targeted email campaigns to online ordering and gift cards, SpotOn provides the tools and expertise to help restaurants adapt and thrive in today's digital-first world."We are pleased to announce SpotOn as our newest addition to the CHECK Business Tools program," said Adam Stinn, Director, Business Solutions, US Foods. “We are enthusiastic about our collaboration and its potential to empower US Foods customers with the necessary tools to modernize their operations."SpotOn and US Foods share a commitment to supporting restaurant operators with the same hospitality and support restaurants bring to their own communities nationwide. Together, they aim to empower restaurants with the resources, expertise, and technology solutions necessary to thrive in an ever-changing market.Trusted by restaurants and venues across the United States, SpotOn invests in programming and activations to inspire restaurant owners and operators to run their businesses on their own terms with flexible technology, actionable data, and personalized service. Together with US Foods, SpotOn is paving the way for restaurant operators to leverage technology to address their most significant challenges, including workforce management, rising costs, and changing guest expectations. - 6/26/2024
Dreamscape Hospitality Appoints Frank Solano As Senior Vice President of Revenue Management
Dreamscape Hospitality proudly announces the appointment of Frank Solano as Senior Vice President of Revenue Management. In this role, Solano will lead the company’s revenue management team to maximize each hotel’s topline strategy and execution.Solano brings over 35 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President of Revenue Management for Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw revenue strategy and hotel operations. His career also includes a significant tenure as Vice President of Asset Management, where he managed brand relations with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Hotels. Additionally, Solano worked for Wyndham Hotels for 20 years where he held various positions, including Vice President of Operations.“We are excited to have Frank Solano on the Dreamscape Hospitality team,” said Adam Patenaude, president of Dreamscape Hospitality. “His vast experience and proven leadership in both revenue management and hotel operations will be invaluable as we continue to optimize and deliver exceptional results for our stakeholders.”Beyond his professional achievements, Solano is actively involved in his community. He currently is a leader of the St. Ann Food Distribution Ministry, serves as a Eucharist Minister and is a patient advocate for both MD Anderson Cancer Center and the CanCare Support Network.“I am looking forward to this next chapter of my career with Dreamscape Hospitality,” shared Frank Solano. “I am committed to leveraging my experience and working collaboratively with the team to enhance our revenue strategies and drive growth for the company.” - 6/26/2024
Instant Financial Launches Mobile App for Improved Employee Pay Flexibility
Instant Financial, a pioneer of responsible earned wage access (EWA), electronic tips, and paycard solutions, has released its new Instant mobile app and enhanced mobile wallet functionality, providing employees with a faster, more secure app experience that gives them a greater degree of flexibility in how they receive their pay.
Understanding that over 50% of Americans would likely avoid major financial pitfalls if they could instantly access a portion of their pay after every day’s work, the new Instant mobile app is narrowing this financial gap by placing financial empowerment directly into the hands of employees.
The beta version of Instant’s app debuted in October at the 2023 HR Tech Conference & Expo, where event attendees were provided a sneak preview of the app’s new capabilities and functionality.
Designed with accessibility and financial freedom in mind, the new Instant mobile app is released with a list of innovative new features and functionality including:
- Faster Access to Earned Wages: Employees have access to their hard-earned wages in fewer steps, with an improved user interface (UI) and key elements surfaced more prominently within the app.
- Modern Security Features: State-of-the-art security protocols, such as facial and fingerprint biometrics, multi-factor authentication, and encryption technologies protect user information and provide peace of mind.
- Flexible Payment Options: Users have the freedom to choose how and when they access their wages. Whether it’s through direct deposit, the Instant card, or a mobile wallet, the new app offers a greater degree of flexibility for all employees, ensuring convenience for all.
- Clear and Informative Design: With improvements to the user interface (UI), the app offers a user-friendly experience, empowering users to make informed choices and navigate the app confidently.
- New Technology Framework: Underpinned by a new technology infrastructure, the new Instant mobile app is faster, more responsive, and built to allow for additional features and functionality to meet the needs of employees and how they are paid.
“Employee demands regarding how they access their wages are constantly shifting, and our new app is meeting that head-on,” said Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial. “Whether it’s to cover unexpected expenses, avoid predatory loans, or simply to enjoy more control over their finances, Instant is continually revolutionizing the way people get paid.”
By releasing this enhanced version of its mobile app experience, Instant is furthering its mission of delivering pay to employees, when they want, where they want, and how they want, all free of fees.
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