Web Summit 2024: Connecting Across Borders and Exploring New Possibilities
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For the third year in a row, Do Your Order attended Web Summit 2024, and this time, it was a uniquely enriching experience filled with meaningful connections from across the globe. Do Your Order, a SaaS platform for the hospitality industry, enables restaurants to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences by offering online ordering, table management, and other digital solutions without the need for specialized hardware. Among the highlights was meeting the delegation from Japan, which included the Mayor of Hida-Takayama. In a gesture of good fortune, he presented us with a "Sarubobo" doll—a traditional Japanese lucky charm. The doll, which translates to “happy monkey baby,” has a rich history: mothers and grandmothers would make these for their children, wishing them happiness and good health. The mayor’s gift reminded us of the joy and luck that can come from building connections that bridge continents and cultures.
This was the first time at Web Summit where we encountered people from as far away as Japan, and it was inspiring to meet not only the mayor but also some hotel owners from the region. These connections opened new doors to expand Do Your Order’s influence in the Japanese market and sparked ideas about how we might tailor our solutions to a diverse array of hospitality needs.
Innovative Collaborations on the Horizon
During this event, we also had the good fortune to meet the Head of Software Engineering Dorian Tanase at Hapimag, a company with 56 holiday resorts across popular European destinations. With a mission to build a supportive community and sustainable tourism model, Hapimag exemplifies values close to our hearts. Our conversation centered on potential collaboration to develop new functionalities for their restaurants and resorts, including table reservation systems and room service ordering capabilities. The alignment between our technical capabilities and their vision for a seamless guest experience was exciting, and we look forward to exploring these possibilities further.
We also connected with David Sepahi Hassanbadi, the CTO of Trenitalia, to discuss implementing self-ordering features on Trenitalia trains. Imagine passengers being able to order food right from their seats, with the option for providers to choose whether to charge extra for the service. This concept could enhance travel experiences, especially on long journeys, and it's exciting to think about the potential for our technology to meet diverse needs in different industries.
Rediscovering Connections and Strengthening Ties
Another notable interaction was with former employees of Pestana, Portugal’s largest hotel group, which we previously connected with during our Start-Up Retreat program in Funchal, Madeira. Pestana’s influence and our ongoing relationship could create opportunities to collaborate on larger projects in the hospitality sector.
Web Summit 2024 also brought many service providers, software developers, and DevOps professionals to our booth, each offering insights and suggestions. A common piece of advice was to increase our outbound marketing efforts to complement our organic growth and inbound strategy. This feedback is something we’re considering as we look to scale and reach new markets.
Testing and Validating Juri-Scope
This year, we also had the chance to showcase a new project we developed with some former Capco colleagues: Juri-Scope.com. This AI-driven legal assistance platform provides rapid initial assessments of legal inquiries, followed by confirmation and next steps with a legal professional. The concept for the platform was developed by Neena Kaiser, Luis Del Pozo, and myself, blending our expertise and vision to create a solution that could make legal guidance more accessible.
Web Summit provided valuable opportunities to test Juri-Scope and gauge its appeal. Attendees were enthusiastic about the platform’s potential, especially as they tested scenarios such as "What can I do if a tenant hasn’t paid rent?" or "What are my rights when my flight is canceled?" The instant, accurate responses left a strong impression, even on legal professionals. This reaction affirmed the demand for accessible, AI-supported legal assistance and encouraged us to continue refining Juri-Scope.
Looking Forward: A Roadmap for Juri-Scope’s Growth
Our experience at Web Summit helped us identify key steps to propel Juri-Scope forward:
1. Collaborate with a Local Law Firm: Partnering with an open-minded Swiss law firm will allow us to gather feedback and access materials to further train our model.
2. Engage Users for Feedback: We’ll monitor responses and iterate the model based on user feedback to ensure reliability and precision.
3. Seek Seed Investment: With proven interest in the concept, our next step is to secure seed funding to expand Juri-Scope’s capabilities and reach.
As we wrapped up our time at Web Summit 2024, the Sarubobo doll gifted to us by the Mayor of Hida-Takayama felt like more than just a lucky charm—it was a reminder of what we’re striving for: happiness, good health, and a fulfilling path forward. Meeting people from all over the world who shared our enthusiasm for innovation and connection reaffirmed our commitment to doing what we love. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue explore these exiting avenues!