Chatlyn, an Austria-based startup redefining hotel guest communications with AI, has raised $9.3 million (EUR 8 million) in a Series A round. The investment was led by Smedvig Ventures, with participation from prominent European backers including AnyDesk founder Andreas Burike, angel investor Mathias Hiebeler, and a public R&D innovation grant from FFG, Austria’s national research funding agency.
What’s the Vision?
Chatlyn’s core mission is simple but ambitious: to become “the AI brain for hotels.” With its latest funding, the company is gearing up to expand into the UAE and the broader Middle East, a region known for luxury hospitality and high guest service expectations.
The Problem They’re Solving
The hospitality industry has long struggled with fragmented guest communication. Most hotels use 8 to 12 separate platforms, from WhatsApp and email to booking engines and social media, to interact with guests. This leads to:
- Missed bookings and lost revenue
- Frustrated guests due to slow or inconsistent replies
- Staff burnout from managing too many channels
- Poor data visibility and disconnected workflows
Chatlyn aims to eliminate these pain points with a single, AI-powered solution.
How Chatlyn Works
Chatlyn functions as a centralized AI communication hub that unifies guest messaging across all major platforms. It offers:
- Unified Messaging – Connects over 10 channels including WhatsApp, email, SMS, webchat, and social media.
- Real-Time Translation – Supports 35+ languages to handle global guests effortlessly.
- Automation & Smart Replies – Automates routine questions and follows up based on guest behavior.
- PMS Integration – Seamlessly connects with property management systems for operational efficiency.
The platform doesn’t just answer messages, it learns, adapts, and helps hotels make smarter decisions, faster.
Why the Middle East?
The UAE and wider Middle East are top global hospitality destinations. Chatlyn sees immense potential in the region’s fast-growing tourism industry, which relies heavily on premium service and cutting-edge technology. With this funding, the company will:
- Establish local partnerships
- Deploy pilot programs with top-tier hotels
- Tailor its platform to the region’s multilingual and multicultural needs
Who’s Behind Chatlyn?
Founded in 2023, Chatlyn is led by a seasoned trio:
- Nicolas Vorsteher – CEO
- Michael Urbanek – CTO
- Matthias Haubner – CPO
Together, they bring deep experience in SaaS, hospitality, and AI development.
The Future of Guest Experience Is Intelligent
With the travel and hospitality sector bouncing back globally, and AI becoming a critical driver of efficiency, Chatlyn is entering the right market at the right time. Its all-in-one communication hub could soon be the industry standard, particularly in regions like the UAE, where world-class guest experience is non-negotiable.