Saira Hospitality Inc.

What Saira Hospitality Inc. does

Saira Hospitality Inc. is a registered 501c3 non-profit organisation, founded in 2014 by Harsha L'Acqua after winning Cornell University's Business Plan competition. Headquartered in London with 1–10 employees, the company partners with hotel brands and developers to operate pop-up hotel schools in local communities near new or repositioned properties. Programs range from two to nine weeks and cover technical hospitality skills, soft skills, wellness, emotional intelligence, and leadership, with graduates eligible for Cornell University / eCornell Service Excellence recognition, ServSafe and TIPS certifications.

The underlying methodology is a six-step process covering partner engagement, curriculum development, student recruitment using a proprietary 'hospitality gene' selection framework, logistics, training delivery, and graduation/hiring. Saira complements its pop-up schools with a permanent-school model (launched at The Monastery Hotel in West Virginia with Roxby Development, and in London in May 2022 with nine hotel partners including The Hoxton, citizenM, Nobu Portman Square, Hilton Bankside and Edyn) and a newer Social Credit Card / CSR Menu service that lets hotel operators reward guests for community engagement using Saira's on-the-ground local knowledge.

Revenue comes from three streams: hotel partnership fees for bespoke pop-up training programs, individual and corporate donations enabled by 501c3 status, and a fee-based Social Credit Card service. The company has delivered programs across the UK, US, Mexico, the Caribbean (British Virgin Islands) and Africa (Namibia), with hotel partners including Four Seasons, Virgin Limited Edition, Rosewood Hotels, Habitas, Bunkhouse Hotels, Standard International, Graduate Hotels, and Marriott's Autograph Collection. Cumulative impact cited includes 418 graduates globally, 10% turnover among graduates placed at partner hotels, and 100% reported ROI for hotel partners.

Name

Saira Hospitality Inc.

Legal name

Saira Hospitality

Website

https://sairahospitality.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saira Hospitality is a 501c3 non-profit that partners with hotel brands to run pop-up training schools in local communities, delivering free hospitality education, Cornell-recognised certifications, and a pre-qualified local workforce for partner hotels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Workforce Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

School Group & Curriculum-Led Trips (THAKAGAB)

Keywords

• Hospitality workforce training
• Pop-up hotel schools
• Nonprofit hospitality education
• Workforce development services
• Community employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hotel Partnership Fees (CSR/Training Programs): Saira Hospitality generates revenue through partnerships with hotel brands and developers who engage Saira to run pop-up hotel schools in their communities. These partnerships provide marketing, PR, and CSR opportunities for hotels, as well as tax benefits since Saira is a registered 501c3 non-profit. Hotel partners pay for the training programs which create a dedicated local workforce for them.
2. Donations: As a registered 501c3 non-profit, Saira Hospitality accepts donations from individuals and organizations who support its mission to transform hospitality through education and community empowerment. A dedicated donation page is available on the website.
3. Social Credit Card / CSR Menu Service: A fee-based service offered to hotel operators who want to use Saira's community knowledge and connections to reward guests for purpose-driven actions during their stay. This is a new service offering additional value to hotel partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Saira Hospitality partners with hotel brands and developers to run pop-up hotel schools that deliver free hospitality training to local community members. Programs range from two to nine weeks, covering hospitality skills, soft skills, wellness, emotional intelligence, and recognized certifications (Cornell eCornell, ServSafe, TIPS). Upon graduation, hotel partners gain access to a dedicated, locally trained workforce, while participants receive employment pathways into the hospitality industry.

Product overview

Saira Hospitality operates a portfolio of education and training products centered on its core Pop-Up Hotel School offering—a 2-9 week training program that partners with hotels to educate local communities before opening. The company also offers a Permanent Hospitality School for ongoing presence, a Social Credit Card CSR program for hotels, and an eCornell partnership for certifications. Curriculum spans hospitality skills, life skills, communications, sustainability, and leadership through experiential learning, with programs ranging from intensive pop-ups to permanent school locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Training Camp by Saira Hospitality & Graduate Hotels: First-of-its-kind collaboration with The LeBron James Family Foundation to train and inspire local community in Akron, Ohio
• The Social Credit Card
• The Saira Circle

Products and services

• Pop-Up Hotel School Saira Hospitality's flagship training program partnering with hotels to create temporary schools at hotel locations. Programs range from 2 to 9 weeks, providing local communities with hospitality skills, life skills, and recognized qualifications. Upon graduation, hotel partners gain access to a pool of well-trained, local talent.
• Permanent Hospitality School Saira's ongoing, non-temporary training location providing continuous hospitality education and training for local communities, creating sustainable solutions to unemployment and hospitality hiring challenges.
• Social Credit Card CSR program for hotel operators that uses Saira's on-the-ground community knowledge and local advisor networks to enable hotels to reward guests with loyalty points and upgrades in exchange for donations of funds or time to local causes.
• Saira London Hotel School Saira's first permanent school in the English capital, providing inclusive, open hospitality training and signaling the launch of an ongoing London presence with multiple schools planned from 2022 onwards.
• Training Camp by Saira Hospitality & Graduate Hotels Eight-week training program developed in partnership with The LeBron James Family Foundation and Graduate Hotels to train and inspire local community members in Akron, Ohio for hospitality positions at House Three Thirty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 418 total graduates trained globally across all programs
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In January 2023, Saira partnered with LJFF and Graduate Hotels to launch 'Training Camp by Saira Hospitality & Graduate Hotels' — an eight-week training program for House Three Thirty in LeBron James' hometown of Akron, Ohio. 32 local residents were trained for positions at the new hospitality venue.
• Graduate HotelsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Graduate Hotels co-developed and delivered the eight-week Training Camp program alongside Saira Hospitality and LJFF for House Three Thirty in Akron, Ohio. President Kevin Osterhaus also serves on Saira's Advisory Board.
• EdyncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Collective partner in Saira London's school, serving as a strategic partner providing insights and experience. CEO Stephen McCall stated Edyn is 'honoured to be part of such an inclusive project.'
• Four Seasons Hotels and ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaira partnered with Four Seasons Costa Palmas to deliver a seven-week pop-up hotel school training locals from the La Ribera community for positions at the beach club. Over 100 locals were interviewed for 70 spaces, resulting in 60 graduates hired.
• Virgin Limited EditioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirgin Limited Edition partnered with Saira for BVI post-hurricane recovery programs and Namibia Habitas opening. They provide entry and mid-level positions for graduates and have praised Saira's holistic approach.
• Rosewood Hotels & ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in the BVI post-hurricane recovery program, providing opportunities for Saira graduates at Rosewood properties.
• Bunkhouse HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaira delivered a nine-week pop-up hotel school for Hotel San Cristóbal in Todos Santos. 42 locals were trained free of charge, with 100% of 25 open positions filled by Saira graduates. Bunkhouse Founder Liz Lambert has publicly praised the program.
• HabitascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Habitas for a two-week pop-up school before their Namibia opening. 190 applications were received for 76 spaces, with Habitas hiring up to 60 graduates. Saira is also working with Habitas on two additional openings in 2020.
• Autograph Collection (Marriott)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in the BVI post-hurricane recovery program, providing opportunities for Saira graduates at Autograph Collection properties.
• Bitter End Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in the BVI post-hurricane recovery program following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
• Standard International (The Standard Hotels)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in multiple programs. CEO Amar Lalvani has publicly endorsed Saira, stating it 'taught best in class hospitality skills and brought real jobs to the community.'
• The HoxtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• citizenM HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• Roxby DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for The Monastery Hotel in West Virginia, the site of Saira's first permanent hospitality school. Roxby Development is led by founder Jeffrey Morris, who praised Saira as 'the missing link' for their vision.
• Cornell University / eCornellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Cornell University's eCornell online learning platform allows Saira students to receive Cornell University recognition after completing the Service Excellence online module. Saira won Cornell's Business Plan competition first place in 2014. Multiple Cornell-affiliated professionals serve on Saira's Advisory Board.
• Iconic Luxury HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• Pan Pacific Hotels GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• Town Hall Hotel (London)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• Montcalm HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.
• Hilton BanksidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hotel in Saira London's inaugural permanent school launch in May 2022.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Tourism Cares: Travel and tourism industry non-profit focused on community impact and sustainable tourism initiatives. Comparable as a hospitality-adjacent non-profit leveraging industry partnerships for community benefit, though it focuses on destination stewardship rather than direct workforce training.

Direct peers

• Year Up: Large U.S. workforce development non-profit that combines skills training with corporate employer partnerships and job placement. Comparable to Saira in mission, non-profit structure, and employer-paid training model, though Year Up focuses on tech/financial services rather than hospitality.
• Per Scholas: Non-profit providing tuition-free technology workforce training with employer partnerships and job placement. Comparable in non-profit training-plus-placement model and employer-funded economics, although the industry focus is technology rather than hospitality.
• American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI): Industry-funded educational arm of AHLA offering hospitality certifications and training content. Comparable to Saira as a hospitality-focused training provider, though AHLEI sells standardized curriculum rather than bespoke pop-up schools with luxury operators.

Emerging players

• InStride: Workforce education platform partnering with employers to fund accredited certificates and degrees for employees. Comparable in employer-funded training economics, though focused on degree pathways via online universities rather than in-person hospitality skills.
• Guild Education: Education and skilling platform acquired by Walmart's parent, offering employer-funded pathways. Comparable in employer-paid training and career mobility positioning, though primarily a tech-enabled platform rather than an in-person training operator.

Broad incumbents

• Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL): Premier global hospitality management university offering degree programs and executive education. Comparable as a high-end hospitality education brand, but operates as a degree-granting institution rather than a non-profit running short workforce programs with operators.
• Johnson & Wales University: U.S. university with a long-standing hospitality college offering degree and certificate programs. Comparable in hospitality training focus, but a degree institution with broader curriculum rather than a targeted workforce-development non-profit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubesairahospitality.com/videos-saira-hospitality
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saira-hospitality

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Saira Hospitality Inc.