Meet our Premium Member Grégoire Devauchelle, CEO & Co-Founder of Takeaseat.io

Please tell us more about Take a Seat

Take a Seat is a platform that provides a range of digital solutions to restaurants. The first product was launched by three friends in 2020 in response to the challenges faced by restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The founders saw an opportunity to use technology to help these businesses adapt and succeed in the new normal of digital operations. 

One of the most popular offerings from Take a Seat is the use of digital menus with QR code ordering. This allows restaurants to easily provide menus and accept orders from customers using their smartphones.

Our technology is focused on helping restaurants improve their customer-facing processes through the use of digital tools. We aim to create products that are efficient, easy to use, and self-service. 

Tell us more about the main highlights of 2022. What are your plans for 2023 and what is your long-term vision? 

In 2022, we launched our subscription plan and were able to acquire around 150 active restaurants worldwide. This success was partially due to our participation in the Bluelion incubator in Zürich, which helped us refine our positioning and go-to-market strategy.

Looking ahead to 2023, our main focus will be on distribution, with the goal of reaching 1,000 clients by the end of the year. We may also consider expanding to other industries where small independent business owners face similar challenges. 

Our long-term vision is to continue empowering and supporting these businesses through innovative technology solutions.

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?

One of our biggest successes at Take a Seat has been the positive feedback we’ve received from our users. We’ve had restaurants tell us that our technology has made their lives easier by streamlining operations, saving time and money, and improving customer experiences. Knowing that we’ve had such a positive impact on our customers is truly rewarding for us.

In addition to the customer feedback, we’ve also achieved several other milestones that we’re proud of. For example, we’ve grown our user base to over 150 active restaurants worldwide, and we’ve received recognition for our innovative solutions. 

These successes give us confidence that we’re on the right track and motivated us to continue striving for excellence in all that we do.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

If we could do it all over again, there are a few things we would do differently at Take a Seat. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of distribution. On hindsight, we would have focused on building relationships with potential partners and distributors earlier on, as this would have helped us reach more customers and establish a stronger market presence.

Another key learning for us has been the value of building a strong brand. While we’ve run marketing campaigns in the past, we realize now that it’s important to focus on creating a consistent, cohesive brand identity that resonates with our target audience. This includes not just our marketing materials, but also our product and customer service.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

What motivates us at Take a Seat every day is the knowledge that our technology is making a positive difference in the lives of other business owners. We’ve received numerous testimonials from restaurants telling us that our product is appreciated and useful to them. This is a powerful source of motivation for us as we are constantly striving to improve and evolve our technology to better serve our customers. 

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

One piece of advice for someone just starting out with their startup is to seek out as much feedback as possible from other entrepreneurs, and don’t be afraid to share your ideas. 

At Take a Seat, we found that getting feedback from others was incredibly valuable in helping us refine our positioning, review our pricing model, and feel more confident in our marketing strategy. However, it’s also important to remember that ideas are not everything – execution is key. You need to be able to put your ideas into action and deliver high-quality products or services to your customers in order to succeed.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Swiss Startup Association? 

Being a member of the Swiss Startup Association means a great deal to me personally and professionally. 

Personally, I believe in supporting initiatives that foster the entrepreneur environment in Zurich, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that does this. Professionally, membership in the association has helped us gain visibility and connect with other entrepreneurs. We’re grateful for the support and resources that the Swiss Startup Association provides, and we look forward to continuing to be an active part of the community.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? If yes, why? 

Absolutely. Being a member of the Swiss Startup Association is a great way to connect with like-minded people and expand your professional network. It’s an opportunity to learn from others and share experiences and insights, which can be valuable for any entrepreneur.

Have you ever visited the events of the Swiss Startup Association? If yes, which ones? 

Yes, I have attended the Founders Dinner. I found the event to be very valuable, as I had the opportunity to meet many entrepreneurs from diverse horizons and connect with others in the entrepreneurial community. I would definitely recommend it to others!

Reach out to Grégoire on LinkedIn