Ghent-based Rookoo, which builds digital colleagues for occasions and hospitality groups, has raised €900k in a brand new funding spherical with the intention to broaden its platform, develop new modules for worth optimisation and capability administration, and provide data-driven insights.
Buyers embody Louis Jonckheere (Wintercircus), Jorn Vanysacker (100In, ex-Henchman), Gilles Mattelin (100In, ex-Henchman & Tout Bien), Jean-Michel Teerlinck (MTM Group, Artion), Stefaan and Bernard Rossel (Bavet, Burney’s, Frans & Bertha), Matthias Stevens (Dynamate), Pieter Vanermen, Gilles Teerlinck, Tanguy Serraes, Anthony De Clerck, Hendrik Isebaert, Louis Mahy, Piet Van Waes and Olivier Saverys. The spherical was supported by KBC Innovation Banking and PMV and was facilitated by means of a collaboration with Ghent-based funding company The Harbour.
“Occasion and hospitality groups spend far an excessive amount of time on admin. We would like them to have the ability to focus once more on expertise, creativity and hospitality,” says Jeroen Borloo, CEO and co-founder of Rookoo.
In 2025, a number of European startups lively in hospitality- and events-adjacent applied sciences have introduced new funding rounds.
Austria’s chatlyn secured €8 million in Sequence A funding to additional develop its AI-driven guest-communication system for lodges. The Netherlands-based Toppi raised almost €1 million to scale its AI instruments for eating places, cafés, bars and lodges. Within the UK, Nory closed a €31 million Sequence B spherical to advance its AI-based restaurant operations platform.
In the meantime, Spain’s Amenitiz raised €38.9 million to proceed scaling its all-in-one administration system for unbiased lodges.
Throughout these firms, roughly €78.9 million in new capital has moved into hospitality- and operations-focused know-how in Europe to date this yr.
“By linking conversations with planning and knowledge, we can’t solely relieve groups but additionally assist them work smarter,” Borloo explains. “Our digital colleague learns alongside the corporate and evolves with the wants of the group.”
Based in 2024, Rookoo automates administrative duties, streamlines communication and helps groups with planning and worth optimisation. In doing so, Rookoo reportedly helps organisations save time, work extra effectively and refocus on offering memorable experiences and heat hospitality.
The founders – Jeroen Borloo, Anthony Meirlaen, Thibaut Vincent and Jared Dierickx – met whereas working at Clarabridge and Qualtrics, the place they gained expertise in buyer interplay and AI know-how.
Rookoo’s digital colleagues robotically organise, categorise and comply with up requests and switch them into clear motion factors for the group. This permits prospects to be helped quicker, quotes to be ready extra effectively and repetitive duties to be minimised.
Rookoo is already used at present by, amongst others, Wintercircus Ghent, Tour & Taxis, Brussels Particular Venues, SPIN and The Enviornment Group.
With the newly raised capital, Rookoo plans to additional broaden its platform. Along with consumption, categorisation and communication, the corporate is creating new modules for worth optimisation and capability administration. It additionally goals to supply data-driven insights round conversion, workload and providing, enabling organisations to plan higher and make knowledgeable selections.
“From the guts of the Flemish ecosystem, we wish to construct a sustainable, scalable resolution that pushes the worldwide occasion sector ahead,” Borloo says. “The occasion sector is buzzing with creativity, but additionally comes with plenty of complexity. With our know-how, we wish to empower groups to allow them to focus once more on what really issues: creating unforgettable experiences.”
The Ghent start-up is wanting past Belgium and already has prospects within the Netherlands, the UK and america. Quickly, the corporate will take its subsequent step with an official launch within the Dutch market at EventSummit.
