On Tuesday, Madrid-based Libeen, a startup specialised in the smart-housing model, announced that it has secured €25M in a funding round led by Andbank (through MyInvestor and Actyus).
Cusp Capital, a venture capital firm focused on European software and technology, also participated in the funding round.
Other reputed figures including, Íñigo Juantegui (co-founder of La Nevera Roja), Enrique Linares (co-founder of Letgo, Spain’s first unicorn), and Juan Velayos (former CEO of Neinor Homes) have also joined the company as investors.
Fund utilisation
The funding will help the Spanish company accelerate its national expansion, implement AI-driven technology, and acquire strategic assets in Spain’s major cities.
With the latest capital, the company plans to help over 130 families secure housing in the coming months and projects sustained growth by the end of 2025.
The company is also working on raising an additional funding line of over €100M, enabling the company to purchase over 600 homes.
Benefits of smart-housing model
José Manuel Cartes and Sofía Iturbe founded Libeen with a mission to make homeownership more accessible through the smart-housing model.
Sofia Iturbe and Jose Manuel Cartes, founders of Libeen, explain the smart-housing model to Silicon Canals: “Smarthousing offers flexibility, as tenants can gradually build equity using their monthly rent while living in their homes. Compared to mortgages, it removes the need for a 20 percent down payment and simplifies the process with AI-driven approvals, making homeownership more accessible.”
How does Libeen work?
The company purchases the property chosen by the client and establishes a Smarthousing contract.
With an initial deposit of 5 per cent and monthly payments, approximately one-third of each payment goes toward savings for the purchase.
Within 3 to 7 years, clients are ready to formalise a mortgage and become homeowners.
On changing interest rates, Cartes says, “Libeen’s model is designed to adapt to different market momentums. We mitigate this risk by securing long-term fixed-rate financing to stabilise costs, and we focus on high-demand locations where rental demand remains strong. Our model remains resilient because homeownership accessibility is a long-term challenge, not just a market trend.”
Assisting customers with AI
The Spanish company integrates AI-driven technology to further enhance the process.
“Our system analyses properties in real-time, identifying homes with the best appreciation potential, low risk, and high rental demand. On the customer side, we personalise financial assessments, offering tailored solutions based on income, credit, and property preferences,” says Iturbe.
Since its inception, the Spanish company claims to have enabled 100 per of its clients to secure mortgages through its Smarthousing program, achieving an average savings of over €50,000 and completing the process in an average of three years.
“We speak their language. Libeen’s tech-first, transparent approach removes complexity, offering 100 per cent digital onboarding and a clear pathway to ownership. We also leverage social media and digital marketing to reach Millennials and Gen Z where they spend most of their time,” says Cartes on attracting young buyers.
Expanding beyond Madrid
The Spanish company is preparing to expand its reach to new cities in Spain, while strengthening its team with international talent.
However, moving beyond Spain can be a challenging task for the company considering regulatory differences, local property market dynamics, and financing structures, says Iturbe to Silicon Canals.
“That’s why partnering with local banks and investors will be key when scaling internationally,” she adds.
Staying profitable
Libeen generates revenue through SmartHousing monthly payments, which are designed to be competitive with rental prices while covering property financing costs.
“Our AI-driven underwriting ensures we buy high-value, high-appreciation homes, reducing risks and increasing margins. Additionally, institutional capital and real estate investors partner with us, allowing for efficient portfolio scaling,” concludes Cartes.
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