The nightlife industry is dynamic, exciting, and, at times, unpredictable. Few have dared to innovate amidst the chaos, but Siddhant Iyer, founder of Vibeo, is here to change that. In a recent episode of the Founder Spotlight Podcast, Siddhant joined host Vatsa to share how his startup is revolutionizing the nightlife experience through technology. From tackling inefficiencies to creating the first-ever AI tool for nightlife decisions, Siddhant’s story is one of grit, innovation, and vision.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into Siddhant’s journey, the challenges he faced, key industry insights, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a nightlife enthusiast or a budding founder, this one’s for you.
Every great idea stems from a problem, and for Siddhant, this was personal. “Trying to go out in Chicago’s nightlife, paying cover charges at multiple locations, and not knowing where the vibe would be good—that inefficiency gave me the idea for Vibeo,” he shared.
Vibeo is not just another nightlife app; it’s a video-based marketplace for bars and clubs. By providing real-time videos categorized by music genre and other parameters, it bridges the gap between intent and action for users, ensuring a seamless night out.
Determined to understand the industry inside out, Siddhant and his team spent over 300 hours on the ground talking to venues and users in Chicago. This deep dive uncovered not only user pain points but also a broader issue: an underserved nightlife industry desperately needing innovation.
Building a disruptive startup is rarely smooth sailing, and Vibeo’s journey was no exception. As Siddhant noted, the nightlife industry is fast-paced, seasonal, and influenced by external factors like weather and holidays.
Despite these obstacles, Siddhant remained optimistic. “Challenges are opportunities to innovate and improve,” he said, underscoring the importance of user testing, adaptability, and a data-driven approach to product refinement.
Vibeo stands out as a marketplace for bars and clubs that uses real-time video to showcase venues. By categorizing videos based on music genre and other parameters, it addresses critical user pain points like:
On the business side, Vibeo empowers venues to:
One of Vibeo’s most exciting innovations is Beo, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making for nightlife enthusiasts. “Beo is the first AI for going out. It understands your intent and shows real-time videos of venues that match your preferences,” Siddhant explained. Whether you’re planning for a small group, a large event, or seeking cultural vibes, Beo is set to revolutionize how people experience nightlife.
In the early stages of any startup, fostering a motivated and aligned team is crucial. For Siddhant, this meant hiring the right people who were as passionate about transforming nightlife as he was. “The hiring process was long,” he admitted, “but finding a team that is tough, motivated, and ready to tackle challenges was non-negotiable.”
To maintain motivation, Siddhant emphasized:
“The thrill of building something impactful and seeing it resonate with users keeps us going.” - Siddhant
For aspiring founders, Siddhant had the following advice:
Looking ahead, Siddhant envisions Vibeo becoming a cornerstone of the global nightlife industry. “Our goal is to start strong in Chicago, refine our business model, and expand to cities like New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Dubai, Tokyo, and London,” he shared.
By creating structure in an unstructured market, Vibeo aims to deliver a seamless experience for users and venues alike. Siddhant is confident that Vibeo’s role in this multibillion-dollar industry will only grow exponentially.
Ready to experience the future of nightlife? Check out Vibeo and stay tuned for the launch of Beo.
To hear Siddhant’s full conversation with Vatsa, listen to the latest episode of the Founder Spotlight Podcast!
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