Europe’s newest unicorn, Flipdish, worth $1.25bn

Founded by brothers Conor and James McCarthy in 2015, Flipdish allows hospitality businesses to deliver seamless consumer digital experiences which drive business growth. The unicorn provides technology that powers QR code order and pay at table, online ordering for collection and delivery, self-service kiosks, customer loyalty, and digital marketing. 

Investment expected to support operations growth

Tencent will join existing Flipdish investors Tiger Global, Global Founders Capital, Elkstone, Enterprise Ireland and Growing Capital. The funding values the company at over $1.25bn and follows a $48.5m investment from Tiger Global Management in February 2021.

The investment will be used to grow global operations, fund R&D in products that improve the hospitality industry’s digital experience for consumers and support new customers like cinemas, stadia and airports.

Flipdish operates in 25 countries including France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, the UK and the US, with thousands of independent restaurant customers as well as major brands like Subway, Cojean, Galeries Lafayette, and Dunnes Stores. Flipdish also works with some of the world’s largest ghost kitchen companies, which partner with the likes of TGI Friday’s, White Castle, Dickey’s BBQ Pit, and many more.

Empowering more hospitality businesses globally

Conor McCarthy, Co-Founder and CEO of Flipdish comments: “Digitisation has been transforming the hospitality sector for years. The ongoing pandemic has further accelerated the trend with hospitality businesses becoming increasingly dependent on digital experiences to attract and retain customers. Our investment will help us to empower more hospitality businesses around the world to grow with the best-in-class technology.”

McCarthy continues: “If you want to see the future of digital customer experience and food delivery, look to China. Tencent is our ideal partner with its track record of supporting food delivery companies. Armed with Tencent’s insight and experience, Flipdish will be supercharged in 2022.