Wishbox raises $2.5m to accelerate global expansion plan
Israel: Guest experience platform Wishbox has announced that it has completed a funding round of $2.5 million.
The funding was led by London based BNF Capital Limited with existing investors also participating. This round is an addition to $1 million raised in 2017, bringing the company’s funding to a total of $3.5 million up to date.
Wishbox was founded in late 2016 by David Mezuman and Jeremy Atlan, successful Tel Aviv-based short-term rental property managers and experienced tech entrepreneurs.
The platform, which includes a guest communication system, white-labelled guest app, online check-in, review optimisation, and an e-commerce store with payment processing for hosts and managers to generate additional revenue through ‘upsells’, was initially developed as a tool to help the partners better run their own management business by ensuring that ‘nothing fell through the cracks’.
Shortly after founding Wishbox, the pair were joined by CTO Shai Bar, who has led the development team to create a solution that is quickly being adopted by global hospitality providers.
Wishbox already operates in 50 countries worldwide, with tens of thousands of active properties using the system, engaging with over 100,000 unique guests every month. In 2019, the platform facilitated over 500,000 pre-check-ins and check-outs for managers with over 150,000 reviews completed in the system.
Through Wishbox’s upsell platfrom, property managers can offer guests access to logistical services and local experiences including luggage storage, transportation services, private chefs, wildlife tours, restaurant bookings and other activities.
David Mezuman, co-founder and CEO of Wishbox, said of the funding announcement: “Wishbox will continue to focus on perfecting solutions that allow short-term rental hosts and property managers to take control of the guest experience and unlock ancillary revenue sources without compromising the guests’ trust.
“Our vision is to bring the power back to hosts and allow them to provide a full hospitality experience rather than acting solely as a bed supplier,” he added.
The funding round will be used to accelerate Wishbox’s expansion and to further develop opportunities for property managers to offer value to their guests.
For more information, visit the Wishbox website here.
