1. For those who don’t know, tell us a little about your background.

Krystle Mobayeni, a New York City-based entrepreneur, is the Co-Founder and CEO of BentoBox, a hospitality platform that empowers restaurants with revenue-driving websites and online ordering. Krystle began her career in web and digital product design and eventually became a consultant, working with restaurants on their websites. She found that third-party technologies drove a wedge between restaurants and their guests, diminished the brand experience, and ultimately impacted restaurants’ profits and revenue. To solve these problems, Krystle founded BentoBox in 2013. Today, over 7,000 restaurant concepts worldwide rely on BentoBox to drive high-margin revenue through their websites, including those of José Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

2. What particular expertise are you bringing to the Academy?

Expertise in digital product and web design, software platforms, and technology/startup leadership. 

3. What are you most looking forward to about reviewing this year’s Webby Awards entries?

As a recipient of the Webby awards in prior career as an agency designer, I’m excited to give back to an organization that I respect as a thought leader in the space. The Webby Awards provided credibility for my career, and I love the idea of helping propel the progress of individuals, brands and ideas through the Webby Awards platform. 

4. What does it take for a digital or immersive experience to be considered best in class? 

In my opinion, best-in-class digital experiences effortlessly enhance our non-digital lives. A great digital experience is one that facilitates and enriches, instead of replaces, the real-world experiences we love.