Brands often turn to web scraping and social media monitoring to gauge customer sentiments and acquire insights to enhance their product development strategies. Cafeteria facilitates direct interaction between teens and brands they are interested in, enabling them to offer feedback on various aspects of strategy and product development.
The startup is set to launch its iOS app on Thursday after conducting a three-month beta test involving teens from 60 cities across the United States.
Heading the team is Rishi Malhotra, CEO, who co-founded Saavn, an India-based music streaming service now known as JioSaavn, and formerly served as CEO of Luminary Podcasts. The co-founding team also includes Mark Silverstein as Chief Business Officer and Leeann Sheely as Chief Design Officer, both bringing extensive experience from Luminary and JioSaavn.
Having secured $3 million in funding, led by Collaborative Fund and Imaginary Ventures, with additional support from Bertelsmann and music industry veteran Guy Oseary, Cafeteria focuses on real-time, genuine feedback from teenagers, offering brands actionable insights customized for Generation Teen.
According to Andrew Montgomery, a partner at Collaborative Fund, Cafeteria fills a crucial niche in consumer insights by delivering authentic and actionable information directly from teen demographics.
How does the app work?
Upon joining the app, teens can select brands of interest and participate in surveys called Tables. Through text or voice responses, teens can provide feedback and insights to earn between $5 and $20, with payout options via Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or direct bank transfer through Dots integration.
Typically lasting five minutes, these Table sessions capture a wide range of insights, including opinions on potential brand collaborations and spending preferences.
Cafeteria currently boasts a user base reaching thousands through referrals and word-of-mouth marketing, with all users initially waitlisted before onboarding.
During onboarding, teens undergo a lifestyle Table, responding to questions on various topics and selecting favorite brands.
To ensure a valuable user experience, Cafeteria limits survey frequency to prevent overuse while maintaining engagement.
User privacy is a top priority, with identity information kept confidential from brands. For users under 18, an optional parental email inclusion feature is available but not mandatory.
Employing a combination of human moderation and AI, Cafeteria closely monitors content for accuracy and appropriateness, taking action against inappropriate behavior.
Cafeteria’s privacy policy outlines guidelines for user age restrictions and data protection, ensuring compliance and safety.
How do brands benefit from it?
Cafeteria’s platform aggregates insights into Albums, categorized by theme, offering brands valuable consumer sentiment data. Paid subscription plans grant brands access to lifestyle insights, competitor analysis, and custom survey creation.
Cafeteria has successfully conducted numerous Tables, providing vital insights and consumer opinions to brands. The company’s use of unstructured data and advanced analytics sets it apart, allowing for valuable market intelligence.
Looking ahead, Cafeteria aims to enhance brand engagement, potentially offering incentives like store credits to increase user participation and provide more value to brands. Further developments include improved search functionalities and enhanced metrics tracking for brands.
