Listen Here

| |

Conversation
Highlights

 

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Joonas Ahola, CEO & Founder of MeetingPackage, a venue management platform that has raised over $8 Million in funding. 

Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:

  • Early Entrepreneurship: Joonas started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 14, founding his second company in the event industry by 16. His early start showcases the blend of passion and ambition driving his career.
  • The Pivot to Venue Management: Initially launched as a marketplace in 2016, MeetingPackage pivoted in 2018 to focus on solving the fundamental problem of venue booking and management, emphasizing the importance of aligning product offerings with market needs.
  • Overcoming Industry Legacy Challenges: Joonas highlighted the challenge of integrating with legacy systems in the hospitality industry, underscoring the persistence needed to innovate in a space with entrenched practices.
  • Navigating Through COVID-19: The pandemic posed significant challenges to the hospitality industry. MeetingPackage’s strategic decision to focus on engineering and R&D during this time positioned them for growth post-pandemic, demonstrating resilience and long-term vision.
  • Partnership-Driven GTM Strategy: The go-to-market strategy for MeetingPackage heavily relies on partnerships, leveraging relationships to drive sales and product adoption, illustrating the power of collaboration in scaling a B2B tech company.
  • The Future Vision: With a goal to own the largest inventory of instantly bookable venues globally by 2027, MeetingPackage aims to become a key player in the business travel and events sector, signaling ambitious growth plans and a clear vision for the future.

 

Actionable
Takeaways

Embrace the Power of Pivoting:

Joonas’ transition from a marketplace model to a focus on venue management software underscores the importance of being willing to pivot in response to market feedback and internal analyses. For tech founders, recognizing when a pivot is necessary and acting decisively can be critical to aligning with market needs and achieving scalability.

Integrate with Legacy Systems Strategically:

Overcoming the challenges of integrating with existing legacy systems in the hospitality industry was a significant hurdle for MeetingPackage. For founders in tech, particularly in sectors with entrenched legacy systems, developing a strategy that includes building flexible, adaptable solutions and navigating industry politics is essential for success.

Leverage Partnerships for Growth:

The partnership-driven GTM strategy employed by MeetingPackage highlights how strategic collaborations can amplify product reach and effectiveness. Founders should consider identifying potential partners that align with their business goals to enhance their go-to-market strategy and drive adoption.

Invest in R&D During Industry Downturns:

The strategic focus on R&D during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed MeetingPackage to prepare for future growth despite immediate challenges. Tech founders can take away the importance of leveraging slower periods for product development and innovation, positioning the company for accelerated growth when market conditions improve.

Understand Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP):

Joonas' approach to refining MeetingPackage’s ICP, including recognizing which customers were not a fit, emphasizes the value of a clear understanding of your target market. For founders, continually refining the ICP based on product evolution and market feedback is crucial for focusing resources effectively and maximizing impact.

Recommended Founder
Interviews

Steve Berneman

CEO and Co-Founder of Blueprint Title

Steve Berneman, CEO of Blueprint Title: $24 Million Raised to Build the Future of Title Insurance Management

Christelle Rohaut

CEO of Codi

Christelle Rohaut, CEO of Codi: $23 Million Raised to Power the Future of Modern Workspace Solutions

Snorre Jordheim Myhre

CEO and Founder of Plaace

Snorre Jordheim Myhre, CEO & Founder of Plaace: $6 Million Raised to Build the Future of Location Intelligence

Cameron Steele

CEO and Co-Founder of Prophia

Cameron Steele, CEO & Co-Founder of Prophia: $16 Million Raised to Power the Future of CRE Data Management

Jon DeWald

Jon DeWald of CEO and Co-Founder

Jon DeWald, CEO and Co-Founder of HELIXIntel: $17.6 Million Raised to Build the Future of Building Management

Justin Miller

CEO of Showplace

Justin Miller, CEO of Showplace: $2 Million Raised to Build a New Category of Tools For the Vacation Rental Management Market

Luca Zambello

CEO of Jurny

Luca Zambello, CEO of Jurny: $12 Million Raised to Create a More Seamless Hotel and Airbnb Check-In Experience

Biju Ashokan

CEO of Radius Agent

Biju Ashokan, CEO of Radius Agent: $19 Million Raised to Power the The Real Estate Agent of the Future

Matt Giffune

Co-Founder of Occupier

Matt Giffune, Co-Founder at Occupier: $16 Million Raised to Build the Future of Tenant Lease Management

Marc Minor

CEO & Co-Founder of Higharc

Marc Minor, CEO & Co-Founder of Higharc: $80 Million Raised to Build the Home Building Cloud Category

Michael Brown

CEO of Skyline Robotics

Michael Brown, CEO of Skyline Robotics: $10 Million Raised to Bring Automation to High-Rise Window Cleaning

Etrit Demaj

Co-Founder of KODE Labs

Etrit Demaj, Co-Founder of KODE Labs: $38 Million Raised to Reimagine the Building Experience

Jonathan Sukhia

CEO and Co-Founder of Topkey

Jonathan Sukhia, CEO & Co-Founder of Topkey: $7 Million Raised to Build the Future of Financial Management for Short-Term Rentals

Geert Van Kerckhoven

CEO & Co-Founder of Oper

Geert Van Kerckhoven, CEO & Co-Founder of Oper: $15 Million Raised to Build the Future of Mortgage Tech Across Europe

Robert Kozikowski

Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Tensorflight

Robert Kozikowski, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Tensorflight: $7 Million Raised to Build the Future of Commercial Property Inspections

William Sankey

CEO and Head of Product, Co-Founder of Northspyre

William Sankey, CEO and Head of Product, Co-Founder of Northspyre: Over $32 Million Raised to Revolutionize Real Estate with Proactive Intelligence

Humphrey Bowles

CEO and Founder of Superhog

Humphrey Bowles, CEO & Founder of Superhog: $7 Million Raised to Power the Future of the Vacation Rental Industry

Ned Hill

CEO and Founder of Position Imaging

Ned Hill, CEO and Founder of Position Imaging: $75 Million Raised for Revolutionary Package Management and Asset Tracking

Tim Quirk

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Final Offer

Tim Quirk, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Final Offer: $11 Million Raised to Build the Future of Real Estate Negotiation