Singapore-based Vouch, a PhocusWire
Hot 25 Startup of 2021, has raised a $1.1 million seed round led by Forge
Ventures and angel investors.
Vouch provides artificial intelligence and
chatbot-based solutions for hotels to streamline operations and enhance the
guest experience.
Hotel
guests scan a QR code on their mobile phones to check-in, order food and
beverage, make room requests, book usage of the pool or gym and get answers to questions
– eliminating the need for them to download an app or have face-to-face
conversations.
Founded
in 2016, the company says it is now used by hotels accounting for 25% of the
rooms in Singapore, with brands such as Frasers Hospitality, Pan Pacific Group
and Hyatt Hotels.
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The
company also operates in Indonesia and South Korea, and now it will open operations
in London with plans to expand across Europe.
“There is a genuine need for a solution that helps hotels
improve manpower efficiency and the pandemic has accelerated this need,” says
Joseph Ling, Vouch founder and CEO.
“Our vouchconcierge.com plan this year is to expand
aggressively into new markets that will benefit most from a productivity platform
like ours, namely Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and the United Kingdom.”
In
addition to hotels, Vouch provides its technology to attractions and shopping
malls.
“I believe that the world has changed structurally in
meaningful ways, and I am confident that the innovations Vouch brings to the
market will help its customers adapt and thrive in the new world,” says Tiang
Lim Foo, co-founder and partner at Forge Ventures.