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Doug Schuessler has always been like that was the founder. This passion, which has been with him since childhood, has seen him launch two startups, move to San Francisco and start working in the Square to see what a “real rocket shop” looks like. Later, he became an event specialist on a restaurant booking platform lost, before becoming a founder again.
after Resy sold to AMEXSchuessler said she began learning more about the hospitality technology industry and tied herself to hotels.
“Independent hotels really need help,” he told TechCrunch.
Decades ago, most of the country’s hotels were independent, but hotel chains started buying up these smaller properties, leaving the remaining independent hotels with more competition, he said.
Schuessler and its co-founder, Cody Rosewho also works at Resy, decided to create Travela business that allows customers to book almost any hotel in the world, whether chain or independent.
The list is compiled from a mix of consumer data and community-sourced recommendations. There is also a rewards program that gives those who book through the platform cash back that can be used on their next trip. Independent hotels using Safari can access it commission-free, although technically any hotel can join the platform.
“Think of it as another direct challenge alongside their website,” Schuessler continued. “We then combine these two products to enhance the guest experience by allowing direct web guests who book directly on the hotel’s website to manage that reservation in the Safari app.”
Today, Safara is announcing the acquisition of an undisclosed company led by Sequoia and Defy.vc. Skipperonline booking engine used by independent hotels. With additional funding, Safara has raised $14 million to date.
Safara and the Skipper team came together after being introduced by a mutual investor who felt the companies had a similar vision for the hospitality space. Skipper’s co-founders will join Safara in certain capacities.
“We actually transitioned to the contract at the beginning of the year,” Schuessler said. But the stars aligned in the end. “Both companies have a better chance of achieving a joint vision than separate.”
Safara aims to differentiate itself from others in the market by offering software solutions for hotels and consumer-facing products.
“The magic will come in 2025 when we integrate these two products more deeply to create new experiences for hotels and guests alike,” said Schuessler, the company’s CEO.
Schuessler said he met his investors through face-to-face meetings. Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia, was the company’s first big believer, but he passed the first time.
“I remember him saying, ‘Maybe we can be partners in the future,’ and at the time I thought it was BS, but it turned out to be true,” Schuessler said. He met Defy.vc partner Brian Rothenberg through the AngelTrack network, and he says the two hit it off right away.
“He’s extremely supportive of good and bad, and we tend to see the world through a very similar lens,” he said.
Safara will use the new capital for product development and increasing the number of hotels using its product.
“Our focus for 2025 and beyond is really to empower independent hotels with the same technology and network development as chain hotels,” Schuessler said. “If we get it right, not only are we helping these hotels succeed, but the types of experiences that will open up for guests are things that, frankly, don’t exist right now. If we can achieve both of these, the sky’s the limit for Safari as a company.”
