Doug Schuessler, a seasoned entrepreneur, has launched his latest venture, Safara, a hospitality technology platform that allows customers to book nearly every hotel in the world, whether it's a chain or independent, while providing a commission-free experience for independent hotels.

Schuessler's passion for entrepreneurship dates back to his childhood, and he has since launched two startups, worked at Square, and served as chief revenue officer at Resy, a restaurant booking platform. After Resy was acquired by American Express, Schuessler delved deeper into the hospitality technology industry, recognizing the need for innovation in the hotel sector.

Historically, most hotels in the country were independently owned, but over time, hotel chains have acquired these smaller properties, leaving independent hotels to face increased competition. Schuessler, along with his co-founder Cody Rose, saw an opportunity to create a platform that would level the playing field for independent hotels.

Safara's platform curates a list of hotels from a mix of consumer data and community-sourced recommendations. The platform also features a rewards program, offering cashback to customers who book through Safara, which can be redeemed on their next trip. Independent hotels can access the platform commission-free, while any hotel can integrate with Safara.

Schuessler envisions Safara as a direct challenge to hotels' own websites, enabling guests who book directly on the hotel's site to manage their reservations within the Safara app. This integration aims to elevate the guest experience and provide hotels with a competitive edge.

Today, Safara announces an undisclosed funding round led by Sequoia and Defy.vc, bringing the company's total funding to $14 million. The startup has also acquired Skipper, an online booking engine used by independent hotels, with the Skipper co-founders joining the Safara team.

The acquisition was facilitated by a mutual investor who recognized the shared vision of both companies. Schuessler believes that the combined entity will have a better chance of achieving its goals than the individual companies could alone.

Safara's long-term strategy involves connecting its hotel-facing software solutions with its consumer products to create novel experiences for both hotels and guests. Schuessler predicts that this integration will yield significant results by 2025.

In terms of funding, Schuessler credits warm introductions for securing investments from Sequoia and Defy.vc. He met Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia, through a mutual connection, and Brian Rothenberg, a partner at Defy.vc, through the AngelTrack network.

With the fresh capital, Safara plans to scale its product development and expand the number of hotels using its platform. The company's ultimate goal is to empower independent hotels with the same technology and network advantages as chain hotels, unlocking new experiences for guests and driving growth for the company.

If successful, Safara's platform could revolutionize the hospitality industry, providing a competitive edge to independent hotels and enhancing the overall guest experience. As Schuessler notes, "If we get this right, not only do we help these hotels succeed, but the types of experiences that will unlock for guests are things that frankly don't exist right now."