SA food tech startup partners with V&A Waterfront  

Fomo, a local food app that connects users with specials at restaurants or events has partnered with the V&A Waterfront to promote restaurants and events being held at the shopping centre. 

Fomo partners with V&A Waterfront to support local hospitality industry

As a globally renowned shopping and lifestyle destination, this partnership marks impressive strides in possible growth for the Cape Town-based startup. 

The partnership aims to drive consumers to help support the restaurants at the V&A Waterfront this summer. In addition, it will also facilitate the promotion and support of any events that may be held at the centre as well. 

The Fomo app will list all restaurants and events at the V&A Waterfront on its innovative and easy-to-use platform. 

Ryan Marx Co-founder of Fomo comments on the partnership with the shopping centre. 

“We are very excited with this initiative on the partnership with V&A Waterfront. It has been a trying time for all, but especially the hospitality sector, and we are excited to be a part of helping the industry to get back on track this season. We have seen a massive transformation in the wake of lockdown, where users are getting more comfortable using apps like FOMO to source great specials at restaurants and events they would not have known of previously. On the other side, restaurants have also adopted a better approach to tech and venturing outside of the traditional marketing channels normally afforded to the hospitality industry.”

With the global pandemic resulting in a downward turnout for various businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector, initiatives like this are critical for job survival and economic growth in South Africa. According to reports in 2019 the V&A Waterfront hosted over 26-million users but currently, this figure has dropped by 40% when compared to the current visitor numbers. 

David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront remains optimistic that visitors will return. 

“Tourists and business will come back, including cruise liners at our Cruise Terminal, and we need to be ready.” 

Fomo

Founded earlier this year by Ryan Marx and Jax Du Plessis, the app forms part of Harken Holdings, a local business builder that owns brands such as MoneyPanda. 

Fomo’s benefits are twofold, as reportedly the first SA app that provides food specials and events, it also is a practical tool to assist restaurants in accessing a wider range of consumers. 

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Featured image: Sebastian Canaves via Unsplash