Could Vota do for restaurants what Vivino did for wine?
Heini Zachariassen, the entrepreneurial force behind Vivino—the world’s largest wine app with over 70 million users—has unveiled his latest venture: Vota. Dubbed “the Michelin Guide for the people,” Vota aims to revolutionize how we discover and rate restaurants by leveraging real diner experiences and cutting-edge AI.’
A New Approach to Restaurant Ratings – With an old rating system
Traditional restaurant rating systems often rely on star ratings and reviews that can be skewed by bots, marketing efforts, or inconsistent standards. Vota seeks to address these issues by implementing a more intuitive and democratic approach. Users are presented with pairs of restaurants they’ve visited and simply choose which one they prefer. This method, inspired by the Elo rating system used in chess, allows Vota to create a dynamic and personalized ranking of restaurants based on genuine user preferences.
“It just doesn’t make sense that a three-star Michelin restaurant gets the same 4.7 rating as a random pizzeria,” Zachariassen noted in a recent LinkedIn post. “It is a broken rating system.”
Harnessing AI and User Data
Vota’s innovative system doesn’t stop at pairwise comparisons. By aggregating user choices, the platform employs AI algorithms to identify patterns and trends, offering personalized restaurant recommendations that reflect the collective wisdom of its user base. This approach ensures that the rankings are not only based on individual preferences but also adapt to emerging dining trends and shifts in public opinion.
Building on Vivino’s Legacy
Zachariassen’s experience with Vivino, which transformed the wine industry by empowering consumers with accessible and reliable information, provides a solid foundation for Vota. By applying similar principles—user-centric design, data-driven insights, and community engagement—Vota aspires to bring the same level of disruption to the restaurant industry. That is at least the theory.
“After building Vivino, I told myself I’d stay on the sidelines and take it easy, but I’m a founder through and through,” Zachariassen shared. “Building is in my DNA.”
Early Access and Future Plans
Currently available as an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) on iOS, Vota is in its early stages, focusing on gathering user feedback to refine its features. An Android version is in development, aiming to broaden the platform’s reach. As the user base grows, Vota plans to expand its coverage, incorporating more restaurants and enhancing its recommendation algorithms. So far the Discord is slowly being populated by speculators.
Success can only come from users
Vota enters a competitive space dominated by established players like Yelp and TripAdvisor. However, by addressing the shortcomings of traditional rating systems and emphasizing authentic user experiences, Vota might position itself as a compelling alternative. If successful, it could redefine how we choose where to dine, much like how Vivino changed how we select wines.
