Hostmaker, a hospitality management firm that claims to support nearly 1000 Airbnb hosts across the UK, France, Spain and Italy, has upped the ante by closing a $1 million seed funding round led by Initial Capital, and existing investors DN Capital and DSG Consumer Partners.
It was founded back in December 2013, with the vision to bolster the Airbnb platform by utilizing funds for technology designed to improve guest communication and experience for the sprawling host community. With its recent funding round, it can now improve upon its model and expand to other European capitals.
In particular, Hostmaker provides help to Airbnb hosts by issuing hotel-standard cleaning services, linen rental and welcome packs for guests. The company also provides help with pricing, guest communication, design services and maintenance. In the past six months, it has launched its operations in Paris and also introduced a new account management system for hosts.
In a comment, Nakul Sharma, founder and CEO of Hostmaker, said,
Hostmaker is now making hosting easy for nearly a thousand hosts across four major European Airbnb destinations – London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, and we now have additional cities in the pipeline.
He also added that a supportive group of investors is exactly what they needed to further invest in technology with an intent to improve customer experience. Ending on an optimistic, cheery note, he also added that they hope to add to their talented team of hospitality operations.
Lawrence Barclay of DN Capital (one of the investors of Hostmaker) remains quite happy with the performance so far. Expressing his take, he said,
We are excited about this next phase in Hostmaker’s growth as they continue to consolidate their position in London, as well as ramp up their presence in new markets.
Earlier this summer, named as one of Forbes’ five British businesses to watch for the firm is reportedly witnesses a 400% year-on-year growth. With firms such as Hostmaker who are invigorating the already robust market of hospitality apps, prospects look good for an entirely online-based, smooth system of renting, booking and staying in rooms in foreign capitals.
