Montréal-based restaurant reservation technology company Now Book It, part of Valsoft Corporation Inc., announced on October 7, 2026, a $5 million Series A investment in Apero, an artificial intelligence-powered reservation platform designed for the Québec hospitality market. The funding is being provided through the Valsoft Venture Program, an initiative focused on developing new AI software businesses within the Valsoft ecosystem. Apero will operate as a bilingual growth and communication platform for restaurants, with tools tailored to local operators.
A Platform Built Around Québec Operations
Apero was developed to simplify daily restaurant workflows rather than add another layer of technology. The platform brings reservation and table management, automated guest communications, waitlist management, guest profiles, no-show prevention, and group and event management into a single system. Restaurant teams can access these tools from a phone, tablet, or computer, giving them flexibility during busy service periods.
AI Receptionist Handles Front-of-House Demands
One of Apero’s central features is a 24/7 AI receptionist designed to answer incoming calls while staff are attending to guests. The AI can respond in English or French, take, modify, and cancel reservations, answer common questions, and capture details such as allergies and special occasions. Because the AI is connected directly to the reservation system, phone bookings and digital bookings share the same source of truth.
Practical AI Connected to Daily Operations
Apero reflects a broader investment by Now Book It in applying artificial intelligence to practical hospitality workflows. Rather than operating as a standalone chatbot, the platform’s AI connects directly to restaurant availability and booking rules. When a guest calls to reserve a table, Apero creates the reservation immediately and sends a confirmation, while also handling modifications, cancellations, special requests, and common questions such as parking and menu information.
Predictable Pricing and Direct Guest Relationships
Apero uses a flat monthly subscription model with no per-reservation or per-cover fees, allowing restaurants to grow booking volume without rising software costs. The platform does not operate as a consumer marketplace, so venues retain control of their guest relationships and data. This approach is intended to keep operators focused on hospitality while avoiding promotional distractions from competing restaurants.
Leadership Perspective
Carl Lambert, CEO of Apero, said restaurants are complex businesses but their technology does not need to be. He explained that Apero was built around what Québec operators need every day, including an easy reservation system, direct guest relationships, predictable pricing, and tools that support growth. Lambert added that the goal is to give restaurants technology that feels like an extension of their team.
Expanding Now Book It’s Canadian Presence
Apero launches with a focus on independent restaurants and restaurant groups in Québec, where bilingual operations and local support are important product considerations. The platform is available in both French and English and supports single venues as well as multi-location hospitality groups. Now Book It was established in 2015 and currently provides reservation and guest-management technology to thousands of hospitality venues internationally.
Apero’s launch signals a continued push by Now Book It and Valsoft to bring specialized AI tools into front-of-house restaurant operations. The platform combines reservation management, bilingual guest communication, and practical automation in a single subscription model, addressing a clear operational need for Québec operators. By keeping restaurants in control of their guest data and avoiding marketplace dynamics, Apero positions itself as a partner that supports operational efficiency and direct customer relationships.