Start-up phase: FreeGuides allows hotels to accompany guests beyond the lobby

Free Guide

FreeGuides’ AI-powered platform combines traditional travel guides with a QR code-based solution to connect guests with local experiences and hotel information.

Founded in 2021, FreeGuides builds on existing relationships with hotel groups such as Accor, EVT and IHG.

What would your 30-second pitch to investors be about?

FreeGuides is transforming the way people travel by empowering hotels to guide their guests from the lobby to the city. Our white-labeled, artificial intelligence-driven platform consolidates traditional travel guides into a single, QR code-driven solution, providing guests with a comprehensive local experience and key hotel information.

This seamless integration not only enhances the guest journey, but also strengthens hotel operations by eliminating the need for multiple apps and paper brochures, making content creation easier and more efficient. Through FreeGuides, hotels can maintain a consistent presence with their guests, whether they’re in the comfort of their room or exploring the city’s attractions.

Describe both the business and technology aspects of your startup.

• Business: We partner with hotels to integrate self-guided local tours, recommendations and hotel services on one platform to increase guest engagement and enhance the value proposition of hotels.
• Technology: Leveraging a web-based platform and using QR codes, we provide partners with scalable and customizable content management, allowing for real-time updates and insights.

What is your SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the company?

• Strengths: Innovative technology, first-mover advantage in QR code integration, strong partnerships in the hospitality industry.
• Weaknesses: High dependency on stability of travel market and limited resources for rapid expansion.
• Opportunities: Expansion into new markets, potential for global expansion, integration with other travel services.
• Threats: Competition from traditional and new technology based travel guides, economic downturn affecting travel.

What are the travel pain points you are trying to alleviate, both from a customer and industry perspective?

We address the complexity and confusion of managing multiple travel resources by providing a unified platform that enhances the exploration experience for travelers and simplifies content management for hotels.

So, you have your product, but how do you get loads of customers?

To acquire customers, FreeGuides leverages on its strong relationships with leading hotel groups such as Accor, EVT and IHG, which have numerous properties across the Asia Pacific region. We actively work with these groups at a brand level to expand our reach significantly by deploying across their entire networks. Additionally, participation in major industry exhibitions and targeted digital marketing campaigns increase awareness within the hospitality sector. The intuitive and viral nature of our platform encourages organic growth as users share their positive experiences, attracting more hotel partners interested in improving guest engagement.

Tell us what process you went through to establish your true need and the size of your target market.

Through market research and pilot programs with key hotel partners in Sydney and across Asia Pacific, we identified a demand for streamlined guest services and identified a significant market among urban hotels looking to improve their digital offerings.

When and how will you make money?

We operate on a subscription model where we charge hotels for using our platform, with revenue starting after a pilot phase and continuing as our hotel network grows.

What is the background of the founding team and what have they achieved so far?

The founding team is made up of people with expertise in technology development, digital marketing and the hospitality industry, and who have previously worked in successful start-ups and professional services.

How have you addressed diversity and inclusion in your business?

We actively recruit talent from diverse backgrounds and have implemented policies that promote inclusion in all areas of the company, from recruitment to decision-making processes.

What has been the most challenging aspect of starting your business so far?

Navigating volatility in the travel industry, especially as global events like the pandemic dramatically impact travel patterns and investments in new technology.

In general, it’s pretty tough for travel startups to make an impact, so why might you be one of the lucky ones?

Our unique value proposition, agile adaptation to market needs and growing demand for digital integration in the travel experience have paved the way for us to succeed.

Where do you see your startup in a year’s time?

We expect to see significant growth in our global hotel network, expansion into new markets and further development of our platform capabilities.

What is your end goal (go public, get acquired, grow, stay private, etc.)?

Our goal is to expand our business globally and remain private in the near term, with the potential for acquisitions as we establish ourselves as a leader in digital travel solutions.