GuestCentric Systems raises $4 million in first round to fuel adoption of hotel e-Commerce optimization
Monday, July 13th, 2009
Stamford, CT – GuestCentric Systems, the premier Software-as-a-Service provider for the independent hotel industry, today announced it has completed a $4 million round of institutional financing led by new investor InovCapital, participated by Turismo Capital and all its major seed investors. This round of funding will be used to accelerate GuestCentric’s growth and market share worldwide and increase investment in product innovation related to e-Commerce optimization and customer intimacy for independent hotels.
“We are delighted that InovCapital decided to join the GuestCentric team. Their investment as well as the total amount raised in this financing round is the ultimate validation of the progress to date and the significant market opportunity that GuestCentric is addressing” said Pedro Colaco, President and CEO of GuestCentric.
GuestCentric is leading the way in revolutionizing the online presence of hundreds of thousands of independent hotels and is presenting a real challenge to traditional hotel software companies by providing innovative e-Commerce optimization features in an unbeatable Software-as-a-Service model. The closing of the Series A round follows GuestCentric’s highly successful product introduction in 2008 and the rapid growth of its customer base during the past six months, showing an unprecedented 100% customer success ratio of free trials performed in 2009.
The innovative GuestCentric platform comes as a response to independent hotels that want to boost revenues and save on commission costs, by capitalizing on the trend that customers seek a personalized experience and prefer booking directly with the hotel. Hence, hoteliers that relied almost solely on distribution through Online Travel Agents like Expedia are now increasingly choosing GuestCentric for a strong direct online presence, e-Commerce optimization and customer intimacy.
“GuestCentric enjoys that rare combination of an opportunity with ground breaking potential and great momentum.” said Joao Fernandes, Vice President at InovCapital. “The distribution paradigm of the multi-billion market for online hotel sales and marketing is undergoing a wave change. We believe GuestCentric is poised to become the star in this emerging market by providing unique e-Commerce optimization features and a break-through business model. We are delighted to work with GuestCentric’s team in expanding the company’s presence globally and further rounding out its product and service offerings.”
To support its efforts, GuestCentric is recruiting for multiple positions. For more information visit http://www.guestcentric.com/about-us/careers
About GuestCentric Systems
Headquartered in Stamford, CT with offices in UK and Portugal, GuestCentric Systems (http://www.guestcentric.com) is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider that revolutionizes the way independent hotel operators compete for customers. GuestCentric’s Hotel e-Commerce Optimization is a one-stop-shop solution that offers simple and cost-effective ways for hoteliers to create a professional web display, integrate direct online booking and online marketing capabilities to boost revenues, lower expenses and develop long-standing relationships with customers. GuestCentric has a growing customer base in the United States and leading tourism markets like the United Kingdom and Spain.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Karla Martinez
GuestCentric Systems
+1 (203) 989 0173
karla.martinez@guestcentric.com
Stamford, CT – GuestCentric Systems, the premier Software-as-a-Service provider for the independent hotel industry, today announced it has completed a $4 million round of institutional financing led by new investor InovCapital, participated by Turismo Capital and all its major seed investors. This round of funding will be used to accelerate GuestCentric’s growth and market share worldwide and increase investment in product innovation related to e-Commerce optimization and customer intimacy for independent hotels.
“We are delighted that InovCapital decided to join the GuestCentric team. Their investment as well as the total amount raised in this financing round is the ultimate validation of the progress to date and the significant market opportunity that GuestCentric is addressing” said Pedro Colaco, President and CEO of GuestCentric.
GuestCentric is leading the way in revolutionizing the online presence of hundreds of thousands of independent hotels and is presenting a real challenge to traditional hotel software companies by providing innovative e-Commerce optimization features in an unbeatable Software-as-a-Service model. The closing of the Series A round follows GuestCentric’s highly successful product introduction in 2008 and the rapid growth of its customer base during the past six months, showing an unprecedented 100% customer success ratio of free trials performed in 2009.
The innovative GuestCentric platform comes as a response to independent hotels that want to boost revenues and save on commission costs, by capitalizing on the trend that customers seek a personalized experience and prefer booking directly with the hotel. Hence, hoteliers that relied almost solely on distribution through Online Travel Agents like Expedia are now increasingly choosing GuestCentric for a strong direct online presence, e-Commerce optimization and customer intimacy.
“GuestCentric enjoys that rare combination of an opportunity with ground breaking potential and great momentum.” said Joao Fernandes, Vice President at InovCapital. “The distribution paradigm of the multi-billion market for online hotel sales and marketing is undergoing a wave change. We believe GuestCentric is poised to become the star in this emerging market by providing unique e-Commerce optimization features and a break-through business model. We are delighted to work with GuestCentric’s team in expanding the company’s presence globally and further rounding out its product and service offerings.”
To support its efforts, GuestCentric is recruiting for multiple positions. For more information visit http://www.guestcentric.com/about-us/careers
About GuestCentric Systems
Headquartered in Stamford, CT with offices in UK and Portugal, GuestCentric Systems (http://www.guestcentric.com) is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider that revolutionizes the way independent hotel operators compete for customers. GuestCentric’s Hotel e-Commerce Optimization is a one-stop-shop solution that offers simple and cost-effective ways for hoteliers to create a professional web display, integrate direct online booking and online marketing capabilities to boost revenues, lower expenses and develop long-standing relationships with customers. GuestCentric has a growing customer base in the United States and leading tourism markets like the United Kingdom and Spain.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Karla Martinez
GuestCentric Systems
+1 (203) 989 0173
karla.martinez@guestcentric.com
