Business & Finance highlights some of the top movers and shakers in Ireland.
What is it?
usheru is a mobile app and web platform that allows consumers to book cinema and film festival tickets in three clicks. Available in London and Dublin, usheru allows film lovers to book cinema tickets in a simple way. Moreover, if a better price or offer is available, usheru will notify the user. They deliver personalised film recommendations direct to your smartphone. usheru also offers exclusive access to unique cinematic experiences, screenings and special events like director Q&As. For cinemas, usheru helps to fill the 75% of seats left empty in cinemas every night, while for distributors the data they will provide to the industry will help them maximise their marketing spend.
Who’s behind it?
usheru is co-founded by Ollie Fegan, Catherine Downes and Andres Macias. Having previously launched a top-selling IOS app in Ireland in the restaurant space, Ollie Fegan enticed Catherine Downes (from her seven-year career at Google European HQ) and Andres Macias (an engineer with 15 years experience) to join the venture, which kicked off in late 2014.
After winning a competition held by the British Film Institute (BFI) to find a technology solution to audience and data, the trio launched their cinema ticketing app first in London, and more recently in Dublin, their hometown.
Future plans?
Once usheru closes its seed funding round this year, the company plans to expand regionally in the UK and Ireland before progressing to new markets. Their aim is to become the number one cinema ticketing and industry data services platform in the next five years.
How is it funded?
usheru is funded by the British Film Institute, O2 Telefonica (Wayra UK) and the European Pioneers program and have raised €250,000 to date.
Ollie Fegan, Catherine Downes and Andres Macias
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Business & Finance, in association with Comtrade, recognises Ireland’s most dynamic emerging businesses in ‘Ones to Watch’. Ireland is alive with a vibrant start-up scene and the entrepreneurs featured are shaping the country’s economic landscape.
