Mews Secures $75M Funding to Revolutionize Hotel Management

Travel Demand Fuels $75 Million Investment in Mews

Despite current economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the desire for travel remains strong. In response to this continued demand, Mews, a SaaS platform provider for hotel management originating in Amsterdam, has secured $75 million in new funding.

A Pivotal Moment for the Travel Sector

This investment arrives at a significant juncture for the travel industry. Positive indicators suggest a 12% growth forecast for the sector this year, projecting 1.75 billion “arrivals” according to Oxford Economics analysts.

This growth is translating into increased investment in travel-related startups. Recent funding rounds include $200 million for TravelPerk (valued at $2.7 billion), $365 million for Hostaway (December 2024), and $26 million for Tourlane (Germany, November 2024). Additionally, Prosus acquired Latin American travel company Despegar for $1.7 billion.

However, challenges persist. The impact of tariffs and economic shifts on travel budgets remains unclear, alongside ongoing geopolitical concerns.

Layoffs at Expedia also raise questions. Is this a singular effort to enhance efficiency, or does it foreshadow further workforce reductions within the industry?

Competitive Landscape

Mews operates within a competitive market, facing established players like Oracle and other emerging startups, including SoftBank-backed Cloudbeds.

Currently, Mews is experiencing positive momentum.

Investment Details

Tiger Global spearheaded the latest equity investment, with participation from existing investors Kinnevik, Battery Ventures, and Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

Battery Ventures previously led Mews’ $33 million Series B round, while Kinnevik and Goldman Sachs co-led the $185 million Series C in 2022. Kinnevik also headed Mews’ $110 million Series D round in 2024.

CEO Matt Welle described this round as opportunistic, initiated by Tiger Global’s interest in a closer working relationship. Mews is not disclosing its current valuation, characterizing it as a growth round with plans for a larger Series-level raise in one to two years.

One year prior, Mews was valued at $1.2 billion post-money following its Series D funding.

Growth and Expansion

Currently, approximately 6,300 hotels utilize the Mews platform, an increase from 5,000 a year ago. The platform processed $10 billion in payments during 2024, doubling the previous year’s volume.

Revenue exceeded $200 million in 2024, driven by customer acquisition and expanded service offerings. Strategic acquisitions, such as Atomize for revenue management, contribute to increased revenue per customer.

PitchBook reports a $100 million debt raise in September of last year to support these acquisitions.

While Europe remains a significant market for Mews (with 20% penetration in the DACH region), substantial growth is occurring in North America.

Founder and co-CEO Richard Valtr now dedicates most of his time to the U.S. market, where revenues doubled in the last year.

Origins and Vision

Valtr founded Mews in 2012, drawing on his experience as an independent hotel owner. He recognized the potential of the internet and SaaS to revolutionize hotel management.

Mews distinguishes itself by offering an end-to-end solution, similar to the “Toast” approach in the restaurant industry.

Comprehensive Platform Features

The platform provides software for:

• Managing hotel availability and online bookings
• Personnel and facilities management
• Payment and accounting
• Event management
• Loyalty programs and guest experience apps

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence

Mews is actively investing in AI. An internal team is developing customer-facing tools and algorithms to enhance platform functionality.

One example is a new customer profile feature that synthesizes guest activity and preferences into concise summaries for concierge and reception staff, improving service quality.

“Mews is redefining what it means to deliver exceptional guest experiences in the hospitality sector and beyond,” stated Sara Eadie, who led the investment for Tiger Global.

Expanding Client Base

Mews is attracting larger hospitality brands, with the number of brands utilizing its tools doubling. New customers include Best Western Hotels, Weekender, and Lark Hotels.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean all Best Western properties are currently using Mews. The company is now an approved supplier, requiring individual franchise agreements to secure new business.