Dive Brief:
- Operto Guest Technologies has raised $25 million in a Series B financing round, led by Centana Growth Partners with participation from Thayer Ventures, Fuse, BlackPines Capital Partners and Derive Ventures.
- Along with the new funding, Operto announced Sam Shank, the founder and former CEO of HotelTonight and former head of Airbnb’s commercial team, has joined the company’s board of directors.
- The moves signal Operto’s continued expansion in the short-term rental and hotel markets, where it has an existing partnership with Accor Hotels to power its digital key program.
Dive Insight:
Following a $12 million Series A round just over a year ago, Vancouver-based Operto has added $25 million, as well as prominent investors to its arsenal to fuel global expansion of its automated hospitality solutions.
The addition of Shank, who sold HotelTonight to Airbnb in 2019 for more than $400 million and remains a prominent figure in travel and hospitality, to its board further signals confidence in Operto’s services — including digital check-ins, mobile keys, guest messaging and digital guides — to help facilitate a frictionless guest journey.
“Operto’s cutting-edge technology solutions are reshaping the hospitality industry, and I am excited to be a part of the journey,” said Shank in a press release. “I look forward to working with the team to help drive growth and innovation.”
While Operto also partners with alternative-accommodations providers, its existing partnership with Accor underscores its growing strength in the hotel space. According to Operto, its solutions have helped lower operating costs and bring in new sources of revenue for the hotel giant.
The B-round funding will go toward developing Operto’s payments and commerce ecosystem to streamline the experience and operations for guests, hosts and owners, said Eric Byunn, co-founder and partner at Centana Growth Partners.
Founded in 2016, Operto supports accommodation providers in more than 100 countries.
