Company:Kipsu

From HandWiki
Short description: Digital messaging software company in Minneapolis, Minnesota


Kipsu[1] is a software company located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that is best known for their digital messaging and real-time engagement software platform[2]. Kipsu connects customer service teams to their end customers through SMS/Text Messaging[3], In-App Messaging, Apple Business Chat[4], Google Business Messaging[5], WhatsApp, Live Web Chat and other digital channels.

History

Kipsu was founded in 2010 by Chris Smith, Geoff Dutton, Joseph Rueter, and Doug Ramler. Kipsu launched its first customer, the Mall of America, by the end of that year.[6] By 2015, Kipsu had moved to working primarily in the hospitality industry with about 300 hotels using their solution.[7] The company’s hospitality footprint continued to grow with a partnership with Hilton Worldwide in 2016, launching with all Hilton owned and managed hotels and integrating into their proprietary phone application.

Kipsu announced a preferred vendorship with IHG Hotels in January of 2022.[8]

In July of 2022, Hilton Guam announced its partnership with Kipsu.[9]

Board of Directors

  • Chip Pearson
  • Geoff Dutton
  • Lisa Brezonik
  • Doug Ramler
  • Jeff Hinck
  • Marty Leestma

Funding

Although the company is generally considered a “bootstrapped”[10] startup, Kipsu has minimal investment from outside providers. In 2015 the company took second place in the Minnesota Cup, a Minnesota state-wide competition for startups that offers prize money to winners.[11] Kipsu is also noted as a portfolio company of Matchstick Ventures, a Minnesota-based VC firm focused on software startups.[12] CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Smith, is a vocal proponent of founding companies in the midwest due to the cost of living benefits compared to more expensive locations like Silicon Valley.[13]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Schafer, Lee. "Kipsu founder says low cost of living is region's secret weapon". Star Tribune. https://www.startribune.com/schafer-kipsu-founder-says-low-cost-of-living-is-region-s-secret-weapon/484312801/. 
  2. ↑ "WebrezPro Integration". WebrezPro. https://webrezpro.com/partner/kipsu/. 
  3. ↑ Grandoni, Dino. "No Need to Call the Front Desk, Just Send a Text". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/business/no-need-to-call-the-front-desk-just-send-a-text.html. 
  4. ↑ Perez, Sarah. "Apple’s Business Chat signs up five more brands, more tech platforms". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/23/apples-business-chat-signs-up-five-more-brands-more-tech-platforms/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAApv2h1SJKfLJTMa55-sFl9Dz1EOyeGOTqw5BStNYRGgJ576YfU0KGHbzZv354xCXd04n9FnIxjeY-YzpJB-KXsEKikD3_PfVTVrgtT9CEdBp9Q6UkCaYWVQHdIn8jMGUjskZW95LGEbqfKHiAK4hdfwdv58gDV9g-oQo04WtgF7#. 
  5. ↑ "IHG® HOTELS & RESORTS NAMES KIPSU PREFERRED MESSAGING VENDOR". Yahoo.com. https://www.yahoo.com/now/ihg-hotels-resorts-names-kipsu-185700935.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANlne2vr7rNhv3dEIt_6dY9VtkGQ72hjQi3R2210Li7ZVWQhmG77SfrAX2iRAvRyUVl58teEhINAa_2PoJYd_8cISZ-XFJHkUBUT9aWb0WwGCFOIIJKeiF4wVT61p-yy-Ekzlvl-t53-mFf6ynbmPxt1yOb5flNVOIbYeV5P3LwM. 
  6. ↑ Reilly, Mark. "Lost in America? MOA's text-message service can help". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/morning_roundup/2012/11/lost-in-america-moas-text-message.html. 
  7. ↑ Grandoni, Dino. "No Need to Call the Front Desk, Just Send a Text". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/business/no-need-to-call-the-front-desk-just-send-a-text.html. 
  8. ↑ "IHG Hotels selects Kipsu's digital messaging solution". Info Tech Lead. 16 April 2022. https://infotechlead.com/mobility/ihg-hotels-selects-kipsus-digital-messaging-solution-72133. 
  9. ↑ "Hilton Guam Resort & Spa partners with Kipsu, an Innovative Digital Messaging Tool". Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. https://www.hiltonguamresort.com/news/20220701/hilton-guam-resort-and-spa-partners-with-kipsu-an-innovative-digital-messaging-tool. 
  10. ↑ Genius, Collective. "Driving Change Episode 17 with CEO and Co-Founder Chris Smith of Kipsu". Collective Genius. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CWSFm-q89A. 
  11. ↑ Staff, TCB. "Minnesota Cup’s High Tech Finalists Announced". Twin Cities Business. https://tcbmag.com/minnesota-cupas-high-tech-finalists-announced/. 
  12. ↑ Miller, Carrigan. "Matchstick Ventures closes on second fund worth $30 million". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/09/19/matchstick-ventures-closes-on-second-fund-worth-30.html. 
  13. ↑ Schafer, Lee. "Kipsu founder says low cost of living is region's secret weapon". Star Tribune. https://www.startribune.com/schafer-kipsu-founder-says-low-cost-of-living-is-region-s-secret-weapon/484312801/. 
  14. ↑ "Past Winners" (in en-US). https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/mn-cup/past-seasons/past-winners. 
  15. ↑ "Top Workplaces 2022". https://www.startribune.com/top-workplaces-2022/pkg-top-workplaces-2020/. 
  16. ↑ Beier, Laura. "Minnesota Startup Award Winner Kipsu Grows Internationally" (in en). https://blog.beta.mn/minnesota-startup-award-winner-kipsu-grows-internationally. 




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