WaitTime

What WaitTime does

WaitTime is a Detroit-based artificial intelligence company founded in 2014 that builds real-time crowd intelligence software for large venues. Its platform ingests video from existing RTSP-enabled security cameras and applies four proprietary patented computer vision algorithms — Queue, Stanchion, Entry/Exit, and Massing — to measure crowd density, flow, and behavior. The software is optimized to run on Intel Xeon CPUs via the oneAPI toolkit, which removes the GPU requirement typical of computer vision systems and lowers total deployment cost for venue operators.

The company's served market comprises sports stadiums (NFL, NBA, AFL), large retail destinations such as Mall of America, convention centers including NEC Birmingham, airports, amusement parks, and smart city deployments. It sells exclusively through channel partners — including TD SYNNEX, World Wide Technology, CDW, Cisco, Intel, and Lenovo — rather than via a direct sales force. The Lenovo Validated Design certification (May 2025) and Cisco Unified Edge integration (Nov 2025) embed WaitTime's software into tier-one enterprise hardware stacks, and a temporary events product (Oct 2025) extends the platform to short-duration deployments. Pricing is quote-based enterprise SaaS tied to venue scale and contract length.

WaitTime monetizes through multi-year software licenses and analytics subscriptions priced per venue, with hardware sourced through its channel partners. Its revenue model is therefore dependent on channel-sourced pipeline conversion rather than direct enterprise selling, and its growth is tied to the rate at which partners attach the software to enterprise infrastructure refresh cycles. The company's lean headcount (11–50 employees) and limited disclosed outside capital (a ~$914K round in 2017) imply an operationally disciplined, partnership-led scaling strategy rather than a venture-fueled land grab.

Name

WaitTime

Legal name

WaitTime

Website

https://thewaittimes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WaitTime is a Detroit-based AI company that provides real-time computer vision crowd analytics for sports stadiums, convention centers, malls, and airports, selling exclusively through enterprise channel partners such as Cisco, Lenovo, and TD SYNNEX.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crowd Intelligence Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

On-Device Inference Runtimes & SDKs (mobile/embedded) (HDAAAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Security & Crowd Management (IMAIAEAD), Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG)

Keywords

• Crowd analytics software
• Computer vision platform
• Real-time queue management
• Venue crowd intelligence
• People counting AI

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. AI Software Platform Subscription: WaitTime's primary revenue comes from licensing its AI-powered crowd intelligence software platform on a subscription basis. The software is deployed on-premise using venue cameras and Intel-powered servers, with the platform delivering real-time crowd analytics, historical data, and guest-facing wayfinding features. Pricing is quote-based, reflecting the custom nature of each deployment.
2. Professional Services & Implementation: Implementation, configuration, and ongoing support services tied to the deployment of the software at venue sites. Involves system integration with camera infrastructure (Cisco Meraki, Axis, etc.), server setup, dashboard configuration, and training. Often delivered through channel partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WaitTime develops and licenses an AI-powered crowd intelligence software platform that uses computer vision on RTSP video streams from venue-mounted cameras to deliver real-time and historical analytics on crowd movement, density, and queue times. Four proprietary patented algorithms (Queue, Stanchion, Entry/Exit, Massing) operate anonymously on Intel Xeon processors, with results delivered through Operations and Analytics Dashboards and an Open API for integration with POS, security, IPTV, and mobile applications. The platform is sold as an enterprise subscription targeting stadiums, airports, malls, convention centers, and amusement parks.

Product overview

WaitTime is an AI-powered crowd intelligence platform founded in 2014 that delivers real-time and historical analytics on crowd behavior. The platform consists of four proprietary patented algorithms (Queue, Stanchion, Entry/Exit, and Massing) that process video streams from venue-mounted cameras to provide crowd-level diagnostics including movement tracking, density monitoring, and occupancy analysis. The platform has two main interfaces: an Operations Dashboard for venue staff to monitor real-time conditions and historical trends, and a Guest Platform delivering wait times via mobile apps and digital displays. WaitTime's Open API enables third-party system integration for data sharing with POS, security, incident response, and enterprise platforms. The solution is hardware-agnostic, integrating with existing camera infrastructure, and is optimized for Intel Xeon processors. Primary verticals include sports and entertainment venues, retail and shopping centers, airports, amusement parks, and convention centers, with both permanent installations and temporary event deployments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WaitTime Crowd Intelligence Platform Integrated AI-powered software platform that analyzes crowd behavior in real time using computer vision on overhead camera feeds; targets venue operators in sports, retail, airports, convention centers, and amusement parks.
• WaitTime Open API Public API enabling real-time crowd intelligence data integration into third-party systems including POS, incident response, security operations, enterprise dashboards, food and beverage operations, video management, IPTV, and mobile applications.
• Guest Platform (Mobile & Digital Wayfinding) Guest-facing crowd intelligence delivered through venue mobile applications, IPTV systems, and digital signage, providing real-time wait times via color-coded spectrum bars (green/yellow/red) to help visitors navigate queues and congested areas efficiently.
• Implementation & Integration Services Implementation, configuration, and ongoing support services for the deployment of WaitTime software at venue sites, including integration with existing camera infrastructure and partner-delivered rollout.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97-99% accuracy in people counting across all deployments
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• LenovocoreTechnology or Integration · 5 May 2025WaitTime achieved a major milestone by integrating into Lenovo's Validated Design (LVD) program in May 2025. The LVD program offers pre-tested, optimized solutions combining Lenovo hardware with partner software. This enables faster deployment, reduced risk, and improved performance for end-users globally. WaitTime was showcased at NRF 2025 in Lenovo's booth as a breakthrough AI software partner, and Nicholas Borsotto, Head of WW AI Partnerships at Lenovo, sat down with CEO Zack Klima to discuss the partnership.
• TD SynnexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 September 2023WaitTime entered a strategic partnership with TD Synnex in September 2023. TD Synnex, a $62B+ global IT distributor serving 150,000+ channel partners in 100+ countries, provides distribution for the hardware and services needed by WaitTime's platform. The partnership specifically brought WaitTime to the UK market. TD Synnex runs industry ecosystems for retail, manufacturing, and healthcare that align with WaitTime's vertical focus areas.
• CiscoflagshipTechnology or Integration · 7 January 2021Cisco and WaitTime announced a global partnership in January 2021. WaitTime's patented computer vision solution is fully integrated and optimized with Cisco's Unified Edge platform. WaitTime is listed on Cisco Meraki Marketplace and is part of Cisco's Compatible for Cisco Compute ISV Ecosystem. The partnership enables WaitTime to bundle its AI solution with Cisco hardware through the channel. At Cisco Live 2026, WaitTime was featured across key partner experiences including CDW's booth and Cisco's Unified Edge platform.
• IntelflagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014WaitTime has partnered with Intel since 2014, optimizing its software on Intel Xeon processors using Intel oneAPI, VTune Profiler, and Geti. The partnership was elevated at CES 2024 when CEO Zack Klima and Intel's Chris Tobias took the main stage to discuss global expansion. WaitTime is showcased as part of Intel's AI Edge initiative. The companies have released joint solution briefs and co-presented at Intel Vision in London, Edge Solution Summit 2026, and Dell Technologies World 2026. WaitTime's solution runs on 4th Gen and 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors.
• World Wide Technology (WWT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWWT is a solution provider partner for WaitTime, bringing incredible scale, co-marketing, branding, deployment, and seamless delivery to WaitTime's clients. WWT co-hosted a Computer Vision Summit with Intel in August 2023 featuring WaitTime. WWT has also showcased WaitTime AI at PGA tournaments alongside Intel.
• CDWcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCDW is a channel partner for WaitTime, featured at Cisco Live 2026 in CDW's booth. CDW promotes WaitTime's crowd intelligence solutions to its enterprise customer base as part of the Cisco ecosystem.
• Cisco MerakicoreTechnology or IntegrationWaitTime is listed on Cisco Meraki's marketplace as a patented AI software solution. Cisco Meraki smart cameras provide RTSP video streams used by WaitTime's AI. At the NEC, Cisco Meraki cameras installed overhead throughout the facilities feed WaitTime's Entry/Exit algorithm.
• GranbrightminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal implementation partner for WaitTime at Kyoto Research Park in Japan, working alongside Cisco Vision Edge technology.
• MiraitminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal implementation partner for WaitTime at Kyoto Research Park in Japan, supporting deployment of WaitTime's AI in the GOCONC cafe area.
• Cox HNminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCox HN is part of the powerhouse partner ecosystem delivering WaitTime's AI-powered crowd insights at the NEC Birmingham convention center, alongside HPE, TD SYNNEX, and Intel.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Xovis: Xovis is a leading provider of 3D people-counting sensors and analytics for airports, retail, and transit. Comparable to WaitTime for high-volume entry/exit counting and queue analytics in transportation and retail venues.
• YinzCam: YinzCam provides sports venue mobile apps and real-time fan engagement experiences for NBA, NHL, and MLS teams. Comparable to WaitTime on the in-stadium fan experience layer with overlapping venue customers (e.g., Brooklyn Nets).
• CrowdVision: CrowdVision provides AI-based real-time crowd analytics for airports, transit, and large venues. Most directly comparable to WaitTime in airport/transit crowd-flow use cases, with similar computer-vision-driven occupancy and queue monitoring.
• Density: Density offers people-counting and occupancy analytics for workplaces and venues using sensors and computer vision. Closely comparable to WaitTime on the occupancy and analytics layer, though Density leans on proprietary sensors rather than CCTV-based CV.
• RetailNext: RetailNext provides in-store traffic analytics, heat mapping, and conversion metrics for retailers. Comparable to WaitTime on the retail traffic and entry/exit analytics layer, particularly for shopping centers like Mall of America.
• VergeSense: VergeSense provides AI-powered occupancy analytics for corporate real estate and venues using existing camera infrastructure. Directly comparable to WaitTime on the workplace/venue occupancy analytics category with API-driven dashboards.

Emerging players

• VenueNext: VenueNext (now part of Cisco) provides in-venue technology platforms including mobile ordering, wayfinding, and analytics for stadiums. Adjacent to WaitTime's guest-facing wayfinding and concession queue features for sports venues.

Broad incumbents

• BriefCam: BriefCam (a Milestone/NiceVision ecosystem player) provides video content analytics for security and operations across enterprise customers. Broader than WaitTime but overlapping on crowd/people analytics from existing camera infrastructure.
• Cisco DNA Spaces: Cisco DNA Spaces is Cisco's venue analytics platform that uses Meraki/WiFi infrastructure to deliver people counting, dwell, and location analytics. A natural adjacent/integrated platform to WaitTime and a potential bundling competitor.
• Genetec Security Center: Genetec is a major VMS and physical security platform increasingly layering analytics including people counting and crowd analytics. Competes indirectly via video management systems where WaitTime integrates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thewaittimes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waittime
• Instagraminstagram.com/waittime_zk
• Facebookfacebook.com/thewaittimes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WaitTime