A Montreal-based technology startup is attempting to turn a typical sports organizer’s hassles of arranging room blocks and fan lodging options into a new revenue stream.
Stay22 this month is debuting a platform that aggregates both hotel and Airbnb listings near a particular event, as well as other alternate lodging options such as roomshares and hostels. The platform then works as an event-centric map embedded directly on an event’s online page. Commissions from bookings made through the system are then shared between the company and event, in turn representing the revenue model for Stay22.
The company’s platform seeks to create a more efficient alternative to online travel agencies such as Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline and Expedia that collectively spend billions per year on search engine optimization and marketing.
“The core idea is to aggregate every possible lodging option in a single spot, and let the organizers stay focused on their events,” said Mohamad Al Sadoon, Stay22 marketing director. “That’s something that helps both the organizer and the fan.”
Initial beta clients of Stay22 have included German esports property ESL for recent competitive gaming events in Oakland and Brooklyn, as well as a series of music and technology events and conferences primarily in Canada and Europe.
The company has been backed by $750,000 (Canadian) in seed round funding, largely from a variety of early-stage Canadian venture capital outfits.
