Florida‑based hospitality‑tech company Croux announced this week that it has become the newest member of spARK Labs, the St. Petersburg incubator run by ARK Invest. The move is intended to accelerate the company’s growth in the Tampa Bay, Orlando and Miami areas and to deepen its ties with other technology founders in the region.
AI‑powered staffing for hospitality venues
Croux was founded by Stewart Price, Jennifer Ryan and Kenny Kung after the COVID‑19 pandemic forced them to confront the “great resignation” that swept the hospitality industry. “During COVID, many workers left because of low pay and a lack of benefits,” Price explained. The trio created an artificial‑intelligence‑based marketplace that connects hotels, resorts, country clubs and event venues with on‑demand workers such as security staff, housekeepers, cooks, bartenders and dishwashers.
The platform lets employers post open shifts, then uses AI to recruit, vet and match candidates with the best‑fit skill sets. Croux currently lists more than 50,000 registered talent accounts and markets its service as a flexible alternative for workers who need supplemental income – often an extra $300‑$500 per month – but cannot commit to a traditional full‑time schedule because of childcare, transportation or other responsibilities.
Why spARK Labs makes sense for Croux
Price said the decision to join spARK Labs was straightforward. “It was an excellent opportunity to connect with other tech founders and to tap into the resources ARK Invest provides,” he said. He added that the incubator’s community could help Croux secure future capital raises and navigate the challenges of scaling a technology‑driven business.
Becca Brown, CEO and President of spARK Labs, praised Croux’s mission. “Their AI‑powered staffing platform helps hospitality and event businesses find talent while creating flexible work opportunities for individuals,” Brown said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting their growth and connecting them with our community.”
Expansion plans and local impact
Although Croux originated in Alabama, the company has a presence in five states and is now focusing on expanding its footprint across the country. Price, who relocated to Florida in May, highlighted the strong demand for hospitality labor in the Tampa Bay region. “The hospitality scene here is booming,” he noted, citing the area’s status as a premier vacation destination.
He also pointed to recent changes in immigration policy that have reduced the pool of available workers, creating a gap that Croux aims to fill with its AI‑matched talent pool. By offering a flexible, on‑demand staffing solution, the company hopes to support both employers struggling to staff their operations and workers seeking supplemental earnings.
Looking ahead
With the backing of spARK Labs, Croux plans to continue scaling its AI technology, broaden its talent database and deepen relationships with hospitality operators throughout Florida and beyond. The partnership underscores the growing interest in technology‑enabled solutions for labor challenges in the service sector, a trend that could reshape how hotels, resorts and event venues staff their operations in the years to come.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
