How Owner.com Became a $1 Billion Unicorn Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech

Owner.com Inc., a startup specializing in software solutions for restaurants and small businesses, has recently achieved a monumental milestone by reaching a $1 billion valuation, a fivefold increase from its valuation just a year ago. This remarkable growth was fueled by a $120 million funding round led by Meritech Capital and Headline, with contributions from Alt Capital and Day One Ventures among others.

Based in California, Owner.com is on a mission to empower restaurants by enhancing their online visibility and converting visitors into loyal customers. The startup offers AI-powered website-building tools and automated marketing solutions, currently serving over 10,000 restaurants. With plans to expand its services to other business sectors, Owner.com is setting a new standard in the tech industry.

Alex Kurland, a general partner at Meritech, highlighted the startup's role in leveling the playing field for small restaurants, enabling them to compete with industry giants. "Owner is helping local brick-and-mortar businesses take on Goliaths," Kurland remarked, praising the company's rapid revenue growth into the "many tens of millions."

Jack Altman of Alt Capital sees a vast market opportunity in Owner.com's approach, drawing parallels to Shopify's impact on e-commerce. "This allows restaurant owners to come online without relying on the big platforms," Altman explained.

CEO Adam Guild envisions Owner.com as a tool for small businesses to combat the technological dominance of large corporations. "Our mission is to ensure small businesses are not just able to compete, but able to win," Guild stated, underscoring the startup's commitment to empowering the underdog.