TakeUp Secures Series A Round of Financing to Power Creation of the First Full-Funnel AI Revenue Engine for Independent Hotels

Startup is reshaping the economics for small hospitality brands, leveraging "causal inference" AI to deliver enterprise-grade pricing and demand tools to SMBs.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TakeUp, the AI-powered revenue optimization platform for independent stays, announced today that it has secured a Series A round of funding, led by 1848 Ventures, that will total $11M upon the round's completion. The funds will expand TakeUp's complete reinvention of how small hospitality brands drive demand, convert guests, and capture every dollar of revenue, powered by causal inference AI that continuously learns and adapts to market dynamics.

Independent properties have been left behind in the adoption race for modern revenue tools. More than 92% still price manually, relying on outdated rules and gut checks instead of real-time market data. Each year, independents leave as much as 30% or more of their revenue on the table while trying to keep pace with big brands, which are armed with teams of analysts and AI systems.

TakeUp's platform utilizes causal inference AI models, which continuously fine-tune pricing based on real-world guest behavior, running upwards of 38,000 micro analyses per day across its customer base. These models learn how different prices perform across various dates, booking windows, and guest segments. By providing this platform at a price point geared toward SMBs, TakeUp gives independent stays the level of insight typically afforded to large hospitality brands possessing enterprise software and data science teams.

"There can't be a monopoly on AI for a handful of brands if the industry is going to continue to grow and thrive," said Bobby Marhamat, CEO of TakeUp. "So, we're tearing down the walled garden and democratizing the landscape by giving our customers transparent, automated tools to win - first on pricing and eventually across the entire revenue funnel."

Independent stays face critical gaps in demand generation, conversion, and revenue strategy that are make-or-break in today's unpredictable market. TakeUp is building an end-to-end revenue engine to fill those gaps, giving small operators the power to punch above their weight in a crowded market.

By observing what works and what doesn't, the system adapts in real-time, setting prices that meet the market moment by moment. TakeUp then pairs every property with a dedicated revenue strategist who acts as an extension of the team, turning pricing into a competitive advantage. Over the last 12 months, TakeUp has grown its customer base by more than 300%, helping hundreds of boutique hotels, inns, and glamping properties capture topline growth and reclaim hours spent on manual rate management.

"With TakeUp's real-time dynamic pricing and the support of our dedicated rep, we're making smarter pricing decisions faster—and bringing in more revenue," said Doug Bagnasco, Owner of Devonfield Inn. "It gives us a real edge in the market, and the time we're saving goes right back into creating a better experience for our guests."

With the new funding, TakeUp will accelerate its roadmap to become the revenue optimization platform for independent stays, expanding beyond pricing into AI-powered demand generation and conversion products, giving independents control over the entire guest revenue journey.

"The independent hospitality space has been underserved for too long. Smaller hotels have been left with spreadsheets while big brands use AI to win guests and dollars," said Kal Amin, managing partner at 1848 Ventures. "TakeUp is arming this industry with smarter tools and bold execution. They're not just building software—they're giving independents a fighting chance in a market stacked against them."

About TakeUp

TakeUp is the AI-powered revenue optimization partner for independent hotels, inns, and glamping retreats. Purpose-built for properties without data science teams or big-brand budgets, TakeUp stands apart by pairing enterprise-grade AI with dedicated revenue experts, driving an average 20% revenue increase and saving operators up to 15 hours a week on manual pricing. Founded in 2022, TakeUp's mission is to give independent stays powerful, approachable tools to help them compete and win in a fast-moving market.

Media Contact:
Escalate PR for TakeUp
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SOURCE TakeUp