Davidson Student Entrepreneur Revolutionizes Hospitality Industry with Digital Key Technology
Davidson College senior Odysseas Koufos ’25 is transforming the hospitality industry with Bizcards, an innovative digital key card system that recently earned him the prestigious $25,000 Acceleration Track prize in the annual Nisbet Venture Fund competition at Davidson College on April 16, 2025.
Launched in 2022, Bizcards addresses two critical challenges in the hotel industry: inefficient check-in processes and environmental waste from plastic key cards. The system allows hotel guests to:
- Complete pre-check-in procedures online
- Receive digital keys directly to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
- Bypass front desk lines entirely
- Access rooms immediately upon arrival
- Reduce plastic waste from traditional key cards
“Traditional hotel key cards are prone to loss, damage, and quickly become obsolete, contributing significantly to environmental waste,” explains Koufos. “Our system not only eliminates these issues but also enhances guest experience by reducing wait times and streamlining the entire check-in process.”
Innovative Technology Gives Bizcards Competitive Edge in Hospitality Tech
What distinguishes Bizcards in the competitive hospitality technology market is its unique compatibility with existing door lock systems. Through a strategic collaboration with a Greek research institute, Bizcards is developing proprietary technology enabling existing hotel door locks to read virtual key cards without expensive hardware modifications.
This breakthrough technology significantly reduces implementation costs for hotels compared to competing systems that require complete hardware overhauls, making Bizcards particularly attractive to small and medium-sized hotel chains seeking digital solutions at accessible price points.
Sustainable Business Model Driving Growth in Hotel Digital Access Market
The venture operates on a scalable, volume-based pricing model:
- $1.05 per virtual card for smaller operations (up to 50 cards monthly)
- As low as $0.30 per card for larger establishments (over 5,000 cards monthly)
With substantial profit margins and a growing market demand for contactless, eco-friendly hotel solutions, Bizcards is positioned for significant growth in the digital hospitality services sector.
Nisbet Venture Fund Fuels Davidson Student Entrepreneurship
The $25,000 Acceleration Track prize will fund critical next steps for Bizcards, including:
- Development of the first beta version
- Integration of AI-driven customization features
- Implementation of chatbot functionality
- Beta testing with partner hotels
“Over the past four years, Odysseas has demonstrated his grit, resilience, and commitment to being an entrepreneur,” said Liz Brigham ’04, W. Spencer Mitchem ‘59 Executive Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship of the Hurt Hub@Davidson. “He exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit we aim to foster through the Nisbet Venture Fund program.”
Established in 2014 through the generous support of Marian Nisbet and Chip Nisbet ’86, the Nisbet Venture Fund provides Davidson students and recent alumni the opportunity to compete for up to $32,500 in grants and investment for their innovative, for-profit ventures.
Davidson Entrepreneur Continues Journey at University of Chicago
Having recently accepted an offer from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, ranked #4 overall in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Business Schools rankings, Koufos plans to continue developing Bizcards while pursuing additional funding opportunities. These include the New Venture Challenge, which offers a substantial investment pool of $2 million ($1M from UChicago and $1M from investors). Koufos also aims to engage with other entrepreneurial resources at Booth, such as the Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship (PF3) and the Build and Launch Summer Accelerators.
“Davidson College and the Hurt Hub have been instrumental in helping me develop both the business concept and the connections needed to bring Bizcards to market,” said Koufos. “The mentorship and support I’ve received through the Nisbet Venture Fund program have been invaluable.”
The Acceleration Track of the competition is specifically designed for ventures with significant development prior to application. Participants receive personalized coaching and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals before pitching to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs.
Are you a hotel owner, manager, or simply curious about upgrading your key card system?
Join Bizcards’ early adopter program by filling out this form.
By signing a non-binding Letter of Intent, you’ll receive an exclusive 50% discount for the first year of service with Bizcards — the digital key card solution designed for boutique hotels.
For direct inquiries, reach out to Odysseas Koufos at odkoufos@gmail.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
For more information about the Nisbet Venture Fund and how Davidson College supports student entrepreneurs, visit the Hurt Hub@Davidson website.
