Carats and Cake

High-Level Overview

Carats & Cake is a technology company that started as a wedding planning and discovery platform but has evolved into a full-stack B2B solution for event venues and property groups, offering integrated marketing, client discovery, digital invoicing, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing.[1][2][3] It serves venues hosting weddings, corporate conferences, and events in the $100 billion U.S. events industry, solving problems like low conversions, poor cash flow, and inefficient sales by boosting revenue through faster bookings and interest-free payment options where venues get paid upfront while consumers pay over time.[1][2] With 53% of payments using BNPL and the fastest-growing online communities in the sector, the company raised $19.3 million in 2021 from investors like Acrew Capital and Founders Fund to expand these tools.[1]

Origin Story

Founded in 2013 in New York by Jess Conroy, who serves as CEO, Carats & Cake began as a marketing and discovery platform connecting couples with wedding vendors, venues, and inspiration through directories, profiles, and community features.[1][2][3][6] The idea emerged to build the leading online resource for weddings, growing into the top platform with millions of users sharing trends and events.[2][4] A pivotal shift came with the addition of fintech tools like BNPL and sales solutions, transforming it into a revenue optimization partner; by 2023, it rebranded elements to ROH to target broader hospitality needs while retaining its 100 million-strong audience.[1][3]

Core Differentiators

• Integrated Full-Stack Platform: Combines marketing/discovery with point-of-sale financing (e.g., BNPL where venues receive full payment immediately), driving 53% BNPL adoption and higher conversions.[1][5]
• Expansive Network and Community: Fastest-growing communities in the $100B events industry, serving as a sales tool for venues to attract customers via a 100 million-user audience.[1][2][3]
• B2B Focus on Venues and Groups: Tailored for property operators, offering digital invoicing, real-time intelligence, and operational efficiencies beyond just weddings.[1][3]
• Proven Revenue Impact: Boosts cash flow, client acquisition, and consumer experience in a fragmented market.[1]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Carats & Cake rides the fintech wave in hospitality and events, merging marketing tech with BNPL to address post-pandemic shifts toward digital payments and hybrid events amid industry consolidation where asset owners manage branded properties.[1][3] Timing aligns with rising demand for operational software in the $100B U.S. events sector, fueled by consumer expectations for flexible financing and online discovery.[1][2] It influences the ecosystem by enabling multi-property efficiency, higher bookings, and data-driven decisions, positioning itself as a leader in hospitality tech evolution.[1][3][5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Carats & Cake (with ROH advancements) is primed to dominate events tech by expanding BNPL and analytics into corporate/hospitality segments, capitalizing on digital transformation trends like AI-driven personalization and seamless omnichannel sales.[1][3] Regulatory support for BNPL and events recovery will accelerate growth, potentially scaling to international markets. Its influence may grow as the full-stack model sets a standard for venue revenue tools, evolving from wedding niche to industry powerhouse.[1][3]