Canary secures $50 million to research AI guest tech
Insight Partners led the round, with existing investors participating
By Vishnu Rageev RJun 12, 2024
HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping.
The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company’s Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney.
“AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel,” said Narula. “Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team’s hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world’s largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors.”
Canary’s hotel tech stack includes an end-to-end guest management platform that digitizes processes from post-booking through checkout, the statement added.
“In a year that proved tough on growth and execution in the tech ecosystem, we saw Canary thrive and exceed their ambitious targets, prompting us to double down,” said Thomas Krane, Insight Partners’ managing director. “We continue to be impressed with Harman, SJ and the team’s tenacity and ability to deliver hoteliers the best-in-class solutions they need most and are honored to be a part of the company’s journey.”
Canary serves more than 20,000 hoteliers in more than 80 countries, including Marriott International, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and InterContinental Hotels Group.
“Canary remains focused on our mission of helping hoteliers modernize their tech stack to deliver the best guest experiences possible,” said Sawhney. “We are thrilled to utilize the funding to continue building a world-class team focused on innovation while expediting our ambitious roadmap. With Canary AI already deployed in some of the world’s largest enterprise hotel brands, we look forward to further enhancing our AI capabilities and broadening its use across the industry.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts recently chose Canary as its global digital tipping solution, enabling guests to tip hotel staff.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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