London-based Embargo raises $1.1M for its digital loyalty cards

London-based Embargo is a loyalty platform and CRM system for hospitality businesses such as dining establishments, bars, and coffee shops that recognise and reward clients using its pioneering technology. Now, the business simply got $1.1 million (nearly ₤ 830K) in a financing round.

Investors galore

Embargo got cross-sector financial support, with people and companies from the hospitality, realty and sport sectors. Noteworthy people who purchased the business consist of prominent angel investor and founder of DesignMyNight, Nick Telson; founder of ASDA-backed Lean Kitchen Networks, Faraz Nagree; serial restaurateur Loui Blake; and the Founders of HEX Digital.

Currently, Embargo actively operates in the UK and Poland and has its presence in countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Portugal and Serbia. It prepares to scale up global operations over the coming months.

Discussing his investment in Embargo, Nagree said: « I liked the special principle, the group, the user traction and how users are responding through high engagement. Loyalty has to do with best execution and building a solution the consumers love. Embargo is the one who got it. We browsed on the marketplace and could not find a much better, simpler loyalty option therefore purchasing business was a simple decision ».

Tsewang Wangkang co-founder and CEO of Embargo, stated: « The success of our newest funding round, teamed with the strength of cross-sector assistance we got, marks another interesting milestone for the business. We now have the resources to with confidence scale up operations, across the UK and beyond. As hospitality starts to recover from the pandemic, there is a bourgeoning need for digital services to help coffeehouse and restaurants to identify and reward faithful clients. Actively handling the client implies actively handling the business. Embargo has seen a spike in clients, including lots of dazzling brand names. »

Loyalty app to clients

Established in 2017 by Tsewang Wangkang and Frederick Szydlowski, Embargo uses a loyalty app to consumers where they can collect commitment stamps in their preferred restaurants, coffeehouse and bars. It provides a contactless and paperless client journey, making it simple to get rewarded for regular visits and purchases. The centrepiece of Embargo is its plug & play CRM system, which supplies hospitality companies with important insight into their customers. Hospitality businesses can measure their devoted client base, interact with them and react if regulars stop coming.