Venturing with Mews: Automating Every Task
Imagine a world where every mundane task in a hotel is automated, allowing staff to focus solely on creating unforgettable guest experiences. This was the founding vision of our portfolio company Mews, which has seamlessly blended technology with hospitality. The journey of Mews is a masterclass in innovation and resilience and Kinnevik is proud to back Mews on its road to redefining the hospitality sector.
We sat down with Mews' founder, Richard Valtr, and CEO Matthijs Welle to explore how they are revolutionising hospitality, one seamless guest experience at a time.
If you go back 12 years to when Mews was founded, what was the big idea then and has that evolved over time?
The big dea for founding Mews hasn't changed much - we've only got better at executing on it. The idea to use technology to automate every boring task in a hotel, allowing the hotel staff to focus solely on hospitality and on creating a remarkable guest experience remains. Over time, we've found different ways to articulate and execute on these ideas.
How do you feel about the trade offs between short-term success and long-term vision?
Balancing short-term success with long-term vision is tough. One of us is always focused on the next two years, while the other thinks five years ahead. We combine our voices to decide what's right for now and what's a great idea to revisit later. We need to hit certain numbers now but also work on secret projects that could become signficant in the future. It's essential to have the right mindsets within the company and learn from peers facing similar challenges.
Do you worry about losing the tight knit culture as the company grows?
Nostalgia can be a bad thing. We've learnt and grown, and while we cherish past moments, we embrace the new culture. The level of ambition and talent lifts everyone up, setting new standards constantly. Mews is like an amoeba, constantly changing and evolving with new people and ideas. This continuous growth and change are exciting and make Mews a living organism that looks different every year.
How do you view your partnership with Kinnevik?
Kinnevik's support is invaluable. For a long time, we searched for investors with a true long-term mindset. With Kinnevik, we found an investor who helps us think 10 years ahead and plan the steps we need to take to reach our long-term goals. This mindset is rare and incredibly valuable to have on your side as an entrepreneur. It truly permeates through the entire Kinnevik organization, and we encounter this supportive approach every single day in our work with them.
