Safara Raises $14M, Acquires Skipper - Hotel Booking News

Doug Schuessler: A Serial Entrepreneur's New Venture

Doug Schuessler possesses a consistent entrepreneurial drive, having launched two startups early in his career. This inclination led him to San Francisco and subsequently to a position at Square, where he sought to understand the dynamics of a rapidly growing company.

Prior to founding Safara, Schuessler served as the chief revenue officer for the restaurant booking platform, Resy. His experience at Resy proved invaluable as he prepared to embark on another founding journey.

Identifying a Need in the Hospitality Sector

Following the sale of Resy to AMEX, Schuessler dedicated time to researching the hospitality technology landscape, quickly developing a strong interest in the hotel industry.

He observed that independent hotels were facing increasing challenges. Decades ago, the majority of hotels were independently operated, but consolidation by hotel chains has intensified competition for those remaining.

“Independent hotels genuinely require assistance,” Schuessler explained to TechCrunch, highlighting the growing disparity in resources.

The Creation of Safara

Together with his co-founder, Cody Rose – also a former Resy employee – Schuessler established Safara. The company’s core mission is to provide a booking platform encompassing nearly all hotels globally, both within established chains and independently owned properties.

Safara’s hotel listings are compiled from a combination of user data and recommendations sourced from a dedicated community. A rewards program further incentivizes usage, offering cash back on bookings for application towards future travel.

Empowering Independent Hotels with Skipper Integration

Independent hotels utilizing Skipper can integrate with Safara without incurring commission fees. Essentially, the platform functions as an additional direct booking channel alongside a hotel’s existing website.

Schuessler elaborated, “We connect these two products to enhance the guest experience, allowing guests who book directly through a hotel’s website to manage their reservations within the Safara app.”

Funding and Acquisition

Safara recently announced a new funding round, led by Sequoia and Defy.vc. This investment was accompanied by the acquisition of Skipper, an online booking engine specifically designed for independent hotels.

To date, Safara has secured $14 million in funding, bolstering its capacity for growth and innovation.

The collaboration between Safara and Skipper originated through a mutual investor who recognized a shared vision for the future of hospitality. The co-founders of Skipper will be joining the Safara team.

Schuessler noted that discussions regarding a potential partnership had taken place earlier in the year, but ultimately, combining forces proved to be the most advantageous path forward for both companies.

A Dual-Sided Approach

Safara distinguishes itself by offering both software solutions for hotels and consumer-facing products. This comprehensive strategy aims to serve all stakeholders within the hospitality ecosystem.

“The true potential will be realized in 2025 when we fully integrate these two products, creating novel experiences for both hotels and their guests,” stated Schuessler, the company’s CEO.

Investor Support and Future Plans

Schuessler attributes securing investment to a network of warm introductions. Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia, initially expressed interest but ultimately joined the round later.

“He initially suggested a potential future partnership, which seemed unlikely at the time, but his foresight proved accurate,” Schuessler recalled.

Brian Rothenberg, a partner at Defy.vc, was introduced through AngelTrack, and the two quickly established a strong rapport. “His support is unwavering, and we share a remarkably similar perspective,” Schuessler added.

The newly acquired capital will be allocated to scaling product development and expanding the number of hotels utilizing Safara’s platform.

“Our primary focus beyond 2025 is to equip independent hotels with the same technological advantages and network benefits enjoyed by larger chain hotels,” Schuessler concluded. “Success in this endeavor will not only empower these hotels but also unlock unprecedented experiences for travelers. Achieving both will position Safara for significant growth.”