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PouchNATION Shifts Focus to Hospitality Sector, Traveloka Again Provides Funding

Present the Contactless Hospitality platform through an NFC bracelet for guests that can be used as keys, vouchers, to payment systems

Traveloka is again involved in PouchNATION funding. Currently, the Singapore-based startup is raising funding for a follow-up round, several investors are starting to participate in this stage bridge round. Besides Traveloka, other investors who took part were SOSV, Artesian, Found Ventures, Huashan Capital, and several angel investors.

Previously in June 2019, Traveloka led the PouchNATION series B funding round. At that time, a startup that developed an entertainment ticket booking service TIX.id is also involved provide investment.

Now enter the hotel industry

The fresh funds raised will be used by PouchNATION to accelerate the growth of the hospitality platform business. Through the product "Contactless Hospitality PouchNATION", they help hotel managers improve hygiene standards and provide a contactless experience for their guests.

The experience is given, after guests arrive they will be given an NFC card or bracelet that functions as a digital identifier, a key pintu, as well as a digital wallet to access the various services provided. This allows guests to purchase food and drinks, or exchange voucher breakfast without physical contact.

Originally a solution This NFC bracelet is applied PouchNATION for entrance tickets to events, replacing paper tickets that were previously widely used. In addition to facilitating verification, the technology applied also allows event organizers to conduct analysis, for example related to user inflow and outflow, for reporting needs. Now PouchNATION is also starting to embed features fintech into its platform, thus enabling a given device to process payments.

This shift in business focus is due to the impact of the pandemic. Events such as music festivals, conferences, etc. which are PouchNATION's main market must be canceled or held regularly online.

"We have always felt that faster adoption of technology can play a big role in providing a better experience for the hospitality industry. Indeed, the pandemic has accelerated that trend and today many hospitality providers are embracing technology. contactless to ensure a higher standard of hygiene for their guests," said VP Growth PouchNATION Ricardo Santos.

So focus on the next business

This Contactless Hospitality business model is considered to have been proven and accepted by the market. From the implementation that has been carried out in 7 countries, the PouchNATION solution is claimed to have been used by 2 million hotel guests and recorded $100 million in transaction value.

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Then the company will focus its business attention there. There are also big plans in 2022 to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia and Latin America with SaaS products to help the hotel industry transform their services.

"PouchNATION is currently in discussions to close an additional funding round to expand its SaaS system beyond Asian borders and pursue a truly global strategy."

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