Slerp

High-Level Overview

Slerp is a London-based technology company providing a direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce platform tailored for the hospitality sector, enabling restaurants, bakeries, cafés, and multi-site operators to handle online ordering, delivery, click & collect, table orders, and loyalty programs without relying on third-party marketplaces.[1][2][5] It serves scaling SMEs to enterprise businesses, solving high commission fees and data ownership issues by offering fully branded web and app solutions with CRM, analytics, and 24/7 support, which boosts margins and customer lifetime value.[3][4][5][6] With $10 million raised in seed and Series A funding, Slerp powers thousands of orders for brands like Ottolenghi, Eataly, and Crosstown Doughnuts, achieving high CSAT scores and rapid growth in the UK market.[2][3][5]

Origin Story

Founded in 2016 (with some sources noting 2019 as a key operational start), Slerp emerged from the experience of its founders as brand owners in hospitality, particularly JP Then, co-founder of premium doughnut brand Crosstown Doughnuts.[1][2] Headquartered in Shoreditch, London, the company was built "by operators for operators" to address the pain points of bricks-and-mortar food businesses transitioning to omni-channel sales amid rising consumer demand for direct online experiences.[3][5] Early traction came from creating a turn-key D2C solution that prioritized operator needs, leading to $10 million in funding from Eight Roads Ventures, Jigsaw VC, TrueSight Ventures, Aldea Ventures, and angel investor Rumi Verjee, fueling expansion for premium UK hospitality brands.[3]

Core Differentiators

Slerp stands out in hospitality tech through operator-centric design and comprehensive tools:

• White-label branding and flexibility: Fully customizable web/app platforms for delivery, click & collect, catering, and loyalty, ensuring brands own customer data and relationships unlike marketplace-dependent solutions.[1][4][5]
• All-in-one features: Built-in CRM, analytics, inventory management, allergen tools, dispatch integrations, and marketing automation, likened to "Shopify for restaurants."[2][4][5][6]
• Superior support and speed: 24/7 UK-based team, dedicated managers, live chat, and fast onboarding with frequent updates; users praise responsive help and high CSAT.[4][5][6]
• Proven performance: Processes thousands of orders, high conversion rates (e.g., converting checkout), and loyalty engagement for independents to chains like L’ETO and Chicken Cottage.[4][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Slerp rides the D2C shift in hospitality, accelerated by post-pandemic delivery booms and operator frustration with 30%+ marketplace commissions from platforms like Deliveroo or Uber Eats.[3][5] Its timing aligns with omni-channel retail trends, where food businesses seek data sovereignty and margin recovery amid inflation and consumer preference for branded experiences.[1][3] Market forces like rising e-commerce adoption in F&B (e.g., nationwide pre-orders) favor Slerp, as it empowers UK operators—from pubs to fine dining—to compete digitally without intermediaries, influencing the ecosystem by promoting independent growth and reducing marketplace dominance.[2][4][5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Slerp is poised for accelerated UK and potential European expansion, leveraging its $10M war chest for AI enhancements, deeper analytics, and multi-site scaling amid ongoing hospitality digitization.[2][3][6] Trends like AI-driven personalization and embedded logistics will shape its path, with user feedback highlighting needs for advanced data tools that Slerp is actively addressing.[6] Its operator roots position it to evolve as a full-stack growth engine, amplifying influence by enabling more brands to thrive independently—echoing its founding mission to return power to those building community through food.[5]