Win, win for tech f irm, hospitality
A Kiwi tech start-up that aims to help the hospitality industry is grateful for a boost of its own after being named a Shop Local campaign winner in what’s been a challenging year for restaurants and businesses alike.
First Table is a restaurant booking platform offering the first table of the night for half price, giving diners a night out at a bargain price while restaurants benefit from the buzz created when the place looks lively at the beginning of the evening.
2degrees’ Shop Local campaign, of which Stuff is a partner, supports local businesses by giving them the chance to win a helping hand with marketing and advertising packages worth $20,000.
First Table chief executive Mat Weir says the win was hugely significant for the Queenstown-based company that’s looking to grow its global presence. ‘‘Being aligned with 2degrees is great because we think they have similar values to us. They’re fighting for fair and we’re fighting for restaurants.’’ First Table has put money from their win towards a global brand video which was filmed in Wellington, using the same local company 2degrees uses for its video production.
‘‘We’re a bootstraps Kiwi tech start-up so we run it pretty lean,’’ says Weir. ‘‘It’s awesome to have this injection of cash that we put into creating something made in Wellington, that we can use all over the world and showcase hospitality.’’
Weir says it’s been positive to see the way New Zealanders have supported the hospitality industry after the challenges of lockdowns and other restrictions this year. He says the website was tested when bookings opened again for most of the country when the restrictions were lifted.
‘‘People were definitely hungry!’’ he says. ‘‘But it was all about supporting local as well.
‘‘People hadn’t seen each other for a long time and it’s such a great way to catch up. We’re all about bringing people together over food.’’
With entries for the next round of Shop Local now open, Weir says it’s a great opportunity for businesses who want to gain a new perspective on their advertising and marketing strategies.
‘‘Entering is a good challenge,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s good to spend that time on your business, reflecting on what you are doing well and celebrating it.’’
Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, 2021 has been a good year for First Table. The business was named the RealNZ Supreme Business of the Year at the Queenstown Business Awards.
‘‘Queenstown is working on diversifying the local economy, so it’s cool that as a tech company we were the ones to get the top award this year. It shows that Queenstown is not just about tourism, and much more than a one-trick pony.’’
His advice for other new businesses is to get your entry in for the current 2degrees Shop Local campaign running now.
2degrees Shop Local
The 2degrees Shop Local campaign is about supporting local businesses.
We all need to do our part to make sure our vibrant businesses and communities survive and thrive. 2degrees is providing practical help by offering five $20,000 marketing and advertising packages to local businesses from:
■ Auckland (2 packages);
■ Wellington region;
■ Marlborough;
■ Plus one package to be decided by a People’s Choice vote, for businesses from any of these three regions. So if you’re a business owner in one of these regions, get going and apply at 2degrees.nz/ ShopLocal and let’s all get behind our local businesses.