Philippine-based hospitality technology innovator Ediphi is eager to expand its hospitality training and education offerings after it raised $1.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round.
The startup said it secured funding commitments from a host of super angel investors, including Tripadvisor co-founder and former CEO Steve Kaufer. The funding round was also backed by investors such as Pixel Perfect Ventures, Allied VC, and Techstars.
“Ediphi is solving a critical problem in hospitality. Their vision and tech are impressive, and they’re setting new standards in the industry. The company stands out for its innovation and vision, and for its exceptional team and path to market leadership,” Kaufer said.
Ediphi’s funding comes as the recent health pandemic and the disruptions caused by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly altered the way the global hospitality industry operates.
Once defined by traditional guest services and in-person interactions, the industry now scrambles to reimagine how hospitality services are delivered, as tourists look for contactless check-ins and digital concierge services, seamless online payment offers, among others.
As global travel returns to post-pandemic levels, the importance of upgrading hospitality education – using the latest technology and harnessing the power of AI – cannot be overstated, and finding the best hospitality education provider is paramount.
This is where Ediphi stands out.
Founded in 2015 by CEO Cristina Imperial-Carl and COO Vanessa Jopillo, Ediphi has carved its name as one of the top hospitality training providers in the Philippines, a country that trains and deploys hundreds of thousands of hospitality industry workers worldwide annually.
Ediphi provides training and internships in the hospitality industry. It uses AI to create personalized learning experiences in its workshops, with its AI-driven conversational trainer interacting with students in their preferred language. It also uses the latest virtual reality (VR) innovations for more engaging learning sessions.
Ediphi’s Imperial-Carl said AI can also provide real-time feedback and adapt scenarios based on user performance, making the training experience even more personalized.
“This ensures that learners receive content tailored to their skill level and learning pace, making the whole experience much more engaging and effective,” Imperial-Carl told The Independent Investor.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted how the global hospitality industry operates, Ediphi is disrupting hospitality education through the use of technology and AI, and investors have taken notice.
The company’s latest fundraise of $1.5 million exceeded its initial target of $1 million—a tell-tale sign of investors’ confidence in the mission and vision of Ediphi.
“We ended up oversubscribed, which is fantastic! Even better is we got some great investors on board who we are incredibly excited about,” Imperial-Carl added.
The fresh funding will accelerate Ediphi’s expansion plans, especially in the US and the ASEAN by the end of 2024, she stressed.
Imperial-Carl talked to The Independent Investor about the use of AI to improve the learning experience, the company plans with the fresh funds, building a tech team in the Philippines, and Ediphi’s future goals.
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Edited excerpts of the interview:
Can you elaborate on how Ediphi is using AI to personalize the learning experience in its workshops?
At Ediphi, we use AI to create truly personalized learning experiences. Our AI-driven conversational trainer interacts with students in their preferred language, providing immediate feedback and customized support.
This ensures that learners receive content tailored to their skill level and learning pace, making the whole experience much more engaging and effective.
Are there specific examples of how AI is being used to improve outcomes for students?
One great example of how AI is improving outcomes is in language training. For our non-English speaking workers, the AI trainer adjusts the difficulty of exercises based on how well the learner is doing, ensuring steady progress.
Plus, AI-driven analytics help us spot areas where students are struggling, so we can give them the extra help they need.
How do you see AI playing a bigger role in Ediphi’s training programs in the future?
Looking ahead, we see AI playing an even bigger role in our training programs. Imagine predictive analytics that can forecast skill gaps and training needs, offering proactive learning suggestions.
We’re also excited about incorporating AI into VR and AR experiences, providing real-time simulations and feedback for a more immersive learning experience.
Additionally, we’re working on multi-user experiences where trainees can collaborate and interact in shared virtual environments, enhancing the realism and applicability of the training.
Congratulations on the successful fundraising round! Can you tell us more about the amount secured?
After joining Techstars, we reassessed our needs and grew our revenue, ultimately deciding to recalibrate our fundraising goals to better align with our current strategic plans.
We secured $1.4 million in our latest fundraising round. We initially set out to raise $1 million and ended up oversubscribed, which is fantastic! Even better is we got some great investors on board who we are incredibly excited about.
How will the funds be specifically allocated to improve sales & marketing, operations, and research & development?
Here’s how we plan to use the funds: We’re dedicating 35% to enhance our marketing campaigns, expand our sales team, and develop strategic partnerships to increase our market presence.
Another 20% will go towards optimizing operational efficiency, scaling our programs, and improving support systems for our students. The remaining 45% will be invested in advancing our AI and VR technologies, creating new training modules, and refining our existing platform.
With this new funding, are there any changes to Ediphi’s expansion plans?
With this additional funding, we’re accelerating our expansion plans. We’re now targeting new regions like the US and ASEAN by the end of 2024. This will involve forming strategic partnerships with local hospitality institutions to ensure a smooth market entry.
How has student feedback been on the use of VR and metaverse environments in training so far?
Students love the immersive training! They’ve reported increased engagement and a better understanding of complex tasks through our simulations.
It’s great to see how these spatial environments help them practice real-world scenarios, boosting their confidence and readiness for actual job situations.
Are there any plans to incorporate AI into these VR/metaverse experiences?
We are already doing it! We’re integrating AI into our simulations and experiences as we speak. AI can provide real-time feedback and adapt scenarios based on user performance, making the training experience even more personalized and effective.
Can you elaborate on the challenges you’ve faced in building a local tech team with the specific skill sets needed for AI and VR development?
We have an in-house team, although they are spread between the US, Europe, and South America. Building a local tech team is an exciting opportunity for us. The Philippines has a growing pool of tech talent, and we’re actively engaging with universities and tech communities to find and nurture the right experts.
This proactive approach not only helps us build a robust team but also contributes to the overall growth and development of the tech ecosystem in the Philippines.
Ediphi is at the forefront of innovation in hospitality education. How can Ediphi contribute to nurturing and attracting Filipino tech talent, especially in emerging fields of AI and VR development?
We are passionate about the potential of Filipino tech talent. By partnering with universities and offering internships and training programs focused on AI and VR development, we can help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs.
This will not only benefit Ediphi but also help develop the local tech community.
The Philippines has a growing tech industry. In your experience, how can the government and/or industry players work together to bridge the gap between the skills needed by companies and the skills being developed in the education system?
The government and industry players are already offering support in many ways to bridge the skills gap. Of course, we can always do more. Aligning educational curricula with industry demands, providing incentives for tech companies to invest in local talent development, and establishing tech hubs and incubators can all make a big difference.
This collaboration can ensure that graduates have the skills needed by companies, driving the growth of the tech industry in the Philippines.
What are your long-term goals for Ediphi? How do you see the company evolving in the next few years?
Looking ahead, our goal is to become the leading global provider of AI-driven training solutions for the hospitality industry. We plan to expand our market presence, continuously innovate our platform, and create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports lifelong learning and career development for hospitality professionals.