Monsieur

Monsieur targeted the beverage and hospitality industry with an automated, artificially intelligent cocktail dispensing system. Founded by Georgia Institute of Technology alumni Barry Givens and Eric Williams, the company officially launched at TechCrunch Disrupt in September 2013. The idea originated from Givens' personal frustration with long wait times for drinks at a crowded college bar.

The platform consisted of three main parts: a physical dispensing machine, a mobile application for both Android and iOS, and a web-based portal for remote management and analytics. The machines were designed to pour precise, consistent cocktails in seconds, addressing issues like slow service and inventory shrinkage from over-pouring and theft, a significant cost center in the hospitality sector. For commercial clients such as hotels, sports arenas, restaurants, and movie theaters, Monsieur offered a way to streamline beverage service. The system allowed venues to either have staff operate the machines or offer them as self-service stations. The management platform provided real-time data to monitor consumption and optimize inventory. The company also developed consumer models for use in homes and at private events, which could be pre-ordered through a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $140,000.

The system's AI could learn user preferences and make drink recommendations based on past orders. It also featured thematic drink packages, like a tiki bar or Irish pub, and could integrate with home automation systems. The mobile app included a feature to estimate a user's blood alcohol content and suggest a taxi service. Following its launch, Monsieur secured a $2 million seed round in late 2014, led by Buckhead Investment Partners, and deployed its machines in venues like Philips Arena and at the Kentucky Derby. Despite these milestones, business operations ceased in August 2017.

Keywords: robotic bartender, automated cocktails, beverage technology, hospitality tech, spirits dispenser, inventory management, point of sale, cocktail machine, drink automation, bar technology