Rotterdam-based HousingAnywhere, a company that claims to be Europe’s leading housing rental platform, announced that it has raised €8M in a venture debt round from global bank BNP Paribas.
This funding marks the start of a collaborative effort to transform the real estate sector using “innovative” technology solutions, aligning with HousingAnywhere’s mission to empower individuals to find homes worldwide.
Christopher Kramme, Head of BNP Paribas Growth Solutions, says, “HousingAnywhere has demonstrated its ability to build and sustain a particularly compelling marketplace, despite a challenging environment these past years.”
CJ Welkzijn and Louis-Marie Angevin, working with Innovative Clients for BNP Paribas Netherlands, add, “Here in The Netherlands, BNP Paribas remains committed to supporting the innovation economy by giving access to our global platform, including through the development of new capabilities like Venture Loan or data-driven RCF.”
Capital utilisation
HousingAnywhere says it plans to use the funds for strategic acquisitions, product development, and market expansion.
Djordy Seelmann, CEO of HousingAnywhere, says, “This agreement is just the first step in our partnership with BNP Paribas, which fully supports our vision to set a new standard in the rental industry.”
“Our commitment to growth includes expanding our market reach and enhancing our cutting-edge technology solutions to meet evolving rental needs.”
“With this capital infusion, we not only maintain our position as industry leaders but also expedite our mission to empower more people to find their ideal homes wherever they want in the world,” adds Seelmann.
HousingAnywhere: Everything you need to know
HousingAnywhere was established in 2009 by Niels Van Deuren, a Dutch exchange student who experienced challenges in finding accommodation abroad and subletting his room back home.
HousingAnywhere is a mid-to-long-term rental platform that oversees three growing brands — HousingAnywhere, Kamernet, and Studapart — with a collective audience of over 30 million yearly visitors.
The company connects young professionals and students, aged 18 to 35, with accommodation providers ranging from private real estate owners to large-scale property managers.
With 160,000+ properties available and 100,000+ tenants housed in 2022, the platform facilitates longer stays abroad (3 to 12 months). HousingAnywhere expanded to 125+ cities, employing 340 professionals across offices in Rotterdam and Paris.
Recent growth
HousingAnywhere, with subsidiaries Kamernet and Studapart, assists over 30 million tenants yearly, focusing on students and young professionals. Since its inception in 2014, the company claims to have experienced substantial growth, securing funding and acquiring market leaders.
HousingAnywhere’s recent deal with BNP Paribas comes after acquiring Studapart and securing €24M in Series C funding for Kamernet. Prior to this, it expanded its European presence by acquiring Stanzazoo in Italy, Rentmate in Iceland, and Studenten WG in Germany.
The partnership with BNP Paribas is a key milestone for HousingAnywhere, following its expansion into new cities in the US and UK, reaching a total of 125 cities across Europe and the US.
Additionally, the platform also enhanced operational efficiency, forming a C-Suite team and maintaining a dedicated workforce of 340 employees.
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