In this interview I had the pleasure to talk with Sittap founder Badr El Moujtahid.
Can you share some information about your background?
I grew up and completed my education in Morocco before coming to France to pursue a Master's degree in supply chain management at the École des Ponts Paristech. I started my professional career as a process engineer at Procter & Gamble, followed by various roles in supply chain management at Cartier. In 2017, I shifted my focus to digital transformation and machine learning.
What industry are you currently working in?
I work in the food tech industry and our start-up is developing a digital solution to assist restaurateurs and their customers.
How did you end up where you are today?
Following a disappointing experience at a Parisian café where I had to wait a long time for the waiter, I decided to embark on my current venture. I realized that the static QR codes on tables made it impossible for customers to order without prepaying, otherwise it could be very risky. This led me to explore the use of encrypted NFC technology to verify customer presence and enable them to order without prepaying.
I personally prefer paying at the end of the meal so that I can split the bill, invite a friend, and leave a tip, which is the customary practice. I believe that most people share this preference as well.
After conducting thorough market research, we decided to develop our own point-of-sale (POS) system to provide a comprehensive solution for restaurant owners. Our system is an all-in-one cloud solution that includes a range of modules and cutting-edge features.
Indeed, we found out that only 25% of the market is using cloud-based solutions, and the market is highly fragmented. Therefore, we opted not to integrate with existing POS providers, as this would limit our ability to offer a solution that best meets the unique needs of restaurants.
What innovation is your company currently working on?
We are currently working on developing a simple and innovative loyalty system for restaurants.
What are your daily responsibilities?
As an entrepreneur, I oversee the development of our product, manage our team, and communicate with customers and investors.
What excites you about your industry?
I'm excited about the challenge of using digital tools to assist unique and non-standardized restaurants. Our goal is to provide a simple and flexible solution that leverages digital technology without imposing unnecessary constraints on restaurants and their customers.
What's the best advice you've received in your business journey?
The best advice I've received is that as an entrepreneur, you can't do everything alone, and building a committed team is a great challenge that the entrepreneur should focus on. It's important to recognize individual strengths and weaknesses, delegate tasks accordingly, and create an environment where team members can thrive.
How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by focusing on our mission - to make restaurants more efficient, profitable, and successful. Every day I'm reminded of the importance of helping small businesses reach their full potential.
What's been the most challenging aspect of your journey and how would you advise others to overcome it?
Building a team that shares our vision and is committed to the project has been the most challenging aspect of my journey. My advice would be to be patient and persistent and take the time to find the right people who share your values and are passionate about your vision, even if they are not in the same country. With modern technology, we can build excellent teams online.
Where can people follow you to learn more about your work?
People can follow us on LinkedIn and on the web to stay updated on our work and developments.
Anything else you would like to share about your business?
Yes, I would like to add that although we are currently operating exclusively in France, our solution has been developed with international deployment in mind right from the start. We are eager to explore new markets and expand our reach. As previously mentioned, we are confident that we can establish a robust team even while working remotely. Therefore, I would like to invite your readers to visit our website, www.sittap.com, to learn more about our product and mission. If they find them appealing, I would be delighted to engage in a discussion about potential collaboration opportunities.
