Kilkenny hotel-tech startup Levels secures €100,000 from Enterprise Ireland to expand across Ireland and prepare for its UK launch in 2027.
Kilkenny hotel-tech startup Levels has secured €100,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s Pre-Seed Start Fund as it prepares to expand its revenue intelligence platform across Ireland.
Founded in July 2025 by actuary Shane Doherty and software engineer Micheál Dunne, Levels has signed up 20 Irish hotels ahead of its official launch on 4 November.
“They knew they were leaving money on the table with their room rates, but they didn’t have the time or the tools to price every night properly”
Customers include the Armada Hotel, Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Fernhill Hotel & Estate and Kinsale Hotel & Spa.
The company helps independent hotels forecast demand, set room rates and increase occupancy during quieter periods.
KEY NUMBERS: Levels
• 20 Irish hotels signed up ahead of launch
• 40+ hoteliers consulted before the platform was built
• 365 days of room demand and pricing forecasts
• 5% commission on bookings through The Guest Community
• 15%–25% commission cited for online travel agencies
• 2.5% commission for hotels on qualifying future guest bookings
• Four awards won during Levels’ first year
• UK expansion planned for 2027
Editorial takeaway: Levels is combining early hotel traction with lower booking commissions and data-led pricing as it prepares to expand beyond Ireland.
Tackling hotel pricing
Levels uses an actuarial model to forecast demand and recommend room rates for each night over the following 365 days.
When demand for a particular night looks weak, the platform can send targeted offers to The Guest Community, Levels’ network of guests. The company charges hotels 5% commission on bookings through the network, compared with the 15% to 25% commission cited by Levels for online travel agencies.
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Hotels can also earn 2.5% commission on future bookings made through The Guest Community by guests they sign up.
“We spoke to over 40 hoteliers before we built anything, and the same things came up every time,” said Shane Doherty, CEO of Levels.
“They knew they were leaving money on the table with their room rates, but they didn’t have the time or the tools to price every night properly. On top of that, they were paying too much in commission to online travel agencies and felt there was nothing they could do about it. We developed our business model around fixing that. Forecasting demand and optimising pricing is what I’ve done my whole career, so this was a problem I knew how to solve.”
Doherty spent nine years developing forecasting and pricing models during his actuarial career, while CTO Micheál Dunne spent six years building enterprise software for multinationals in Dublin.
Early traction with Irish hotels
Levels has won four awards during its first year, including the South-East regional award at the National Enterprise Awards and the Kilkenny County Enterprise Award for 2026.
“We found Levels excellent to deal with. They helped set up everything so it was very easy and the platform is fantastic,” said Michael O’Neill, co-proprietor of Fernhill Hotel & Estate.
Claire Berrill, Deputy General Manager of The Lakeside Manor, said: “Over the past few months, we have seen a noticeable increase in both occupancy and revenue.”
Donnchadh Cullinan, Divisional Manager for Technology and Services at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Levels through our Pre-Seed Start Fund. Shane and Micheál bring strong technical and commercial expertise to a real challenge facing independent hotels, and their early traction with Irish customers is impressive. We look forward to working with the team as they grow in Ireland and expand into international markets.”
UK expansion planned
Levels said the €100,000 investment will support its Irish rollout, further integrations and preparations for expansion into the UK in 2027.
“This investment allows us to accelerate deployment across Ireland, complete key integrations and prepare for our move into the UK next year,” said Doherty.
“Independent hotels are a huge part of Irish and European tourism, and they deserve tools that let them compete with the large chains.”
Levels officially launches at the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny at 12 noon on Wednesday, 4 November. The company is also hiring for a Business Development Executive.
FAQs – How Levels is levelling the playing field for hoteliers
What is Levels?
Levels is a Kilkenny hotel revenue intelligence company that helps independent hotels forecast demand, optimise room pricing and fill quieter nights.
How much funding has Levels secured?
Levels has secured €100,000 from Enterprise Ireland’s Pre-Seed Start Fund to accelerate its deployment across Ireland, complete key integrations and prepare for expansion into the UK in 2027.
Who founded Levels?
Levels was founded in July 2025 by actuary Shane Doherty FSAI and software engineer Micheál Dunne. Doherty is CEO and Dunne is CTO.
How does Levels help independent hotels?
Levels uses an actuarial model to forecast demand and recommend the optimal rate for every room over the next 365 days. When a night looks quiet, it can send targeted offers to The Guest Community, its own network of guests.
Which hotels are using Levels?
Levels has 20 Irish hotels signed up, including the Armada Hotel, Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Fernhill Hotel & Estate and Kinsale Hotel & Spa.
👉 No tech background needed to bring your business into the AI age! Secure your Google AI Professional Certificate to complete the certification at no cost. Apply now and get started!
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