The amount of empty spaces with a comfortable chair and Wi-Fi are so numerous, yet unfortunately rarely utilized. We are talking about the hotel meeting rooms or guest rooms that sit empty. Enter Beewake, the app that lets you book these empty work spaces you would otherwise never know about. Regardless of where you are in the world, your office is just a few taps away.
AlleyWatch spoke with cofounder Jeremie Catez about Beewake as well as what the future of workplaces has in store for us.
Tell us about the product or service.
Beewake is an app which allows guests to book daytime spaces such as guest rooms or meeting rooms in hotels for a usage during the day in hotels for passengers in transit, to relax or to simply to work.
On one hand, on average, hotels run at 63% occupancy in the U.S in 2014. On the other hand, 50% of the workforce will be freelancing in 2020 and about 30% of the domestic flights are one-day trips.
The business opportunity of matching these emerging demands with an existing but unexploited supply of services is clear. Beewake’s mission is to make daytime vacant spaces available to people who need it.
How is it different?
Beewake focuses on the business travelers and therefore offers sleeping rooms, meeting rooms but also hot desk, directly fitting their needs.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
The market that we are targeting at Beewake is disruptive since we’re focusing on the empty daytime spaces available in hotels; we estimated the U.S market to be valued at $19B.
What is the business model?
Commission based, Beewake collects a percentage of each booking from the space provider. Our commission model is structured for scalability, 15% on every booking. Additional revenue will come from options and packages at point of sale. Cost per booking remains limited due to automation, allowing us to maintain and improve margins as sales volume grows.
What inspired the business?
I have spent my last 10 years in the hotel industry working in pricing, sales and marketing and I have seen this growing trend.
Please tell us about some the traction that the company has?
Within 6 months, we have been able to partner with more than 150 properties located in both Europe and the U.S. and being an accredited IATA travel agent.
Marriott, Starwood, AccorHotels and other prestigious brands already trusted and partnered with Beewake.
A couple of weeks ago, Beewake has been nominated at HITEC (hospitality convention) has one of most innovative travel for 2016.
Our UA is purely organic through both online and offline marketing actions.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
We are considering launching a merchant website to reach out to desktop users as well as building a connectivity bridge thanks to a technology partner to be able to scale and accelerate our hotels’ acquisition.
In order to keep growing our users’ base at the cheaper cost, we are looking at adding both couponing and referral capabilities to our product.
What is the one piece of startup advice that you never got?
Team first, Beewake’s team is key to its success. We have the particular advantages of having worked together previously, both at Accor and Dailymotion.
If you could be put in touch with anyone in the New York Community who would it be and why?
Our two current goals are raising funds and growing our number of hotels therefore we would love to being put in touch with Business Angels and VC who understand and support Beewake and its team and are willing to invest funds. Also, hotels’ owners and operators would be a great support for us.
Why did you launch in New York?
I have been living in the New York for the last 10 years and it’s the perfect city from financial, marketing and hotels prospective.
What’s your favorite rooftop bar in NYC to unwind?
As a Brooklynite, my favorite rooftop bar is at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.
