HousingAnywhere
{{Infobox company
| name = HousingAnywhere
| founded = 2009
| founder = Niels Van Deuren
| hq_location = Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| area_served = Europe, US
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Djordy Seelmann (CEO)|Jim Bijwaard (COO)|Erik Gruwel (CFO)}}
| services = Rental platform, online viewings, and bookings
| website = {{URL|https://housinganywhere.com}}
}}
HousingAnywhere is a mid-term rental platform founded in 2009 and headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-06 |title=Woonruimte in 21 landen {{!}} Financieel {{!}} Telegraaf.nl |url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/financieel/668085/woonruimte-in-21-landen |access-date=2024-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106072951/https://www.telegraaf.nl/financieel/668085/woonruimte-in-21-landen |archive-date=2018-11-06 }}{{Cite journal |last=Tim |first=Skelton |date=Winter 2013 |title=MORE THAN JUST GREAT IDEAS |url=https://repub.eur.nl/pub/77299/2013_Winter.pdf |journal=RSM Outlook |publisher=Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University |pages=34–36|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102124114/https://repub.eur.nl/pub/77299/2013_Winter.pdf |archive-date=2018-11-02 }}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-20 |title=Hunderte Betroffene klagen über Abzocke auf Wohnungsplattform |url=https://www.rbb24.de/wirtschaft/beitrag/2022/11/wohnungen-wohnungssuche-berlin-plattform-betrug-kautionen.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.rbb24.de |language=de}} The company specializes in connecting international students and professionals with property providers, through its online platform, including booking and payment systems.{{Cite web |last=Ohr |first=Thomas |date=2017-01-09 |title=Rotterdam-based HousingAnywhere receives €5 million in funding to expand in Western Europe and the USA |url=https://www.eu-startups.com/2017/01/rotterdam-based-housinganywhere-com-receives-e5-million-in-funding-to-expand-in-western-europe-and-the-usa/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=EU-Startups |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Boerop |first=Lisa |date=2018-05-09 |title=Niels van Deuren richtte als student een huisvestingsplatform op dat nu €6 miljoen krijgt |url=https://www.businessinsider.nl/niels-van-deuren-housinganhywhere/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Business Insider Nederland |language=nl-NL}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-05-17 |title=Housing Anywhere raises €6m funding to innovate and expand |url=https://thepienews.com/news/housinganywhere-raises-e6m-funding/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=thepienews.com |language=en}}
History
In 2009, HousingAnywhere’s founder Niels Van Deuren was pursuing a degree in International Business Administration at the Rotterdam School of Management, which included a semester exchange to the National University of Singapore.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-10 |title=Huge investment for alumnus' student accommodation firm |url=https://www.rsm.nl/news/detail/3470-huge-investment-for-alumnus-student-accommodation-firm/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.rsm.nl |language=en}} He then faced the challenges of finding a room in Singapore, and came up with the idea of HousingAnywhere. As a result, he established HousingAnywhere.com as a student-to-student messaging forum for room subletting. In the upcoming years, the platform expanded its services to other European countries, including Spain, France, Germany, and Denmark.{{Cite web |title=Niels van Deuren |url=https://www.rsm.nl/alumni/distinguished-alumni-awards/award-recipients-2018/niels-van-deuren/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.rsm.nl}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-15 |title=HousingAnywhere has a new head: From student startup to hottest global company, here's the story so far! {{!}} Silicon Canals |url=https://siliconcanals.com/news/housinganywhere-has-a-new-head-from-student-startup-to-hottest-global-company-heres-the-story-so-far/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=MT/Sprout |first=Redactie |date=2015-02-10 |title=Studentenplatform Housinganywhere haalt miljoen op |url=https://mtsprout.nl/groei/studentenplatform-housinganywhere-haalt-miljoen-op |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=MT/Sprout |language=nl-NL}}{{Cite web |last=sprout-maarten-keswiel-9907 |date=2018-10-11 |title=Hoe Niels van Deuren van HousingAnywhere groot maakte met uitgekiend 'playbook' {{!}} Sprout |url=https://mtsprout.nl/groei/niels-van-deuren-treedt-terug-bij-housinganywhere-en-deelt-zijn-playbook-lessen |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=MT/Sprout |language=nl-NL}}
HousingAnywhere’s business model was based on selling memberships to universities for a fee. Universities promoted the services on their own communication channels so that students could see the available accommodation for them. Students who had accommodation and were soon to embark on an exchange would advertise their properties on the platform, while interested students would respond with their requirements.
In 2014, the platform developed its own integrated booking system, which transformed a student-to-student messaging forum into a rental platform based on a booking model. Djordy Seelmann, current HousingAnywhere’s CEO, appointed in 2018, was involved since the start in the product development for the booking platform.
In 2015 HousingAnywhere secured initial funding in a seed round followed by a €5 million in a Series A funding round from venture capital firm henQ and Real Web, operator of immobiliare.it in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Keane |first=Jonathan |date=2017-01-09 |title=Student accommodation platform HousingAnywhere.com raises €5 million |url=https://tech.eu/2017/01/09/housinganywhere-e5-million/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Tech.eu |language=en-GB}}
In 2017, it was recognized as the 4th most innovative company in the Netherlands and the 1st in Rotterdam by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.{{Cite web |title=MKB Innovatie Top 100 {{!}} Top 100 van 2017 |url=https://www.kvkinnovatietop100.nl/site/top-100-2017 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.kvkinnovatietop100.nl}}{{Cite web |last=Srivastava |first=Akansha |date=2018-05-08 |title=HousingAnywhere gets €6M Series B funding: Here's what you didn't know about this killer Rotterdam scaleup {{!}} Silicon Canals |url=https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/housinganywhere-gets-e6m-series-b-funding-heres-what-you-didnt-know-about-this-killer-rotterdam-scaleup/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US}}
The company received €6 million in Series B funding led by Vostok New Ventures, along with existing investors Real Web and henQ in 2018.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-09 |title=Nog meer geld voor studentenplatform Housinganywhere |url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/geld-en-werk/artikel/4180816/nog-meer-geld-voor-studentenplatform-housinganywhere |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=RTL Nieuws |language=nl}}
HousingAnywhere raised €24 million in Series C funding, acquiring Kamernet to expand its presence in the Netherlands and other European countries in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-05 |title=Dutch rental accommodation marketplace HousingAnywhere raises €24M; acquires Kamernet {{!}} Silicon Canals |url=https://siliconcanals.com/crowdfunding/housinganywhere-raises-24m/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-02-08 |title=HousingAnywhere raises €24m, acquires Dutch classifieds website |url=https://thepienews.com/news/housinganywhere-raises-e24m-acquires-dutch-classifieds-website/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=thepienews.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-02-08 |title=HousingAnywhere Raises €24M in Series C Funding; Acquires Kamernet |url=https://www.finsmes.com/2021/02/housinganywhere-raises-e24m-in-series-c-funding-acquires-kamernet.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=FinSMEs |language=en-US}}
In June 2023, HousingAnywhere expanded to key cities in the UK and the US. It also secured €8 million in debt financing from BNP Paribas in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Hancock |first=Harvey |date=2023-10-30 |title=HousingAnywhere Secures €8M In Debt Financing From BNP Paribas {{!}} Online Marketplaces |url=https://www.onlinemarketplaces.com/articles/housinganywhere-secures-e8m-in-debt-financing-from-bnp-paribas/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.onlinemarketplaces.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-27 |title=BNP Paribas financia expansão da HousingAnywhere |url=https://diarioimobiliario.pt/BNP-Paribas-financia-expansao-da-HousingAnywhere |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=diarioimobiliario.pt |language=pt}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=Acht miljoen groeigeld voor HousingAnywhere |url=https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/acht-miljoen-groeigeld-housinganywhere |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Emerce |language=nl}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-10-30 |title=HousingAnywhere obtiene 8 millones de euros en financiación de deuda con BNP Paribas |url=https://www.epe.es/es/activos/vivienda/20231030/alquiler-viviendas-housinganywhere-94006275 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=elperiodicodeespana |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-27 |title=Kapitaalinjectie van acht miljoen euro voor HousingAnywhere |url=https://vastgoedjournaal.nl/news/61463/kapitaalinjectie-van-acht-miljoen-euro-voor-housinganywhere |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Vastgoedjournaal.nl |language=nl}}
In the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 ranking for the Netherlands, it secured the 21st position in 2023 and the 36th position in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Technology Fast 50 2023 nominees {{!}} The Netherlands |url=https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/fast50/articles/technology-fast-50-2023-nominees.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Deloitte |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ranking Technology Fast 50 2022 {{!}} The Netherlands |url=https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/fast50/articles/ranking-technology-fast50-2022.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Deloitte Netherlands |language=en}} The company received recognition from DISQ in 2023, 2022, and 2021.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=Online-Portale - DISQ |url=https://disq.de/online-portale-preis.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=disq.de}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=Deutschlands Beste Online-Portale 2022 - DISQ |url=https://disq.de/online-portale-preis-2022.html#:~:text=Zu%20den%20aus%20Kundensicht%20besten,der%20gro%C3%9F%20angelegten%20Befragung%20bewertet |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=disq.de}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-05-20 |title=Deutschlands beste Online-Portale 2021 |url=https://www.n-tv.de/ratgeber/tests/Deutschlands-beste-Online-Portale-2021-article22564402.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=n-tv.de |language=de}}
Activities
HousingAnywhere is a mid-term rental platform, enabling international students and professionals to find homes abroad.{{Cite web |last=redaktion |date=2017-08-01 |title=Wer ist eigentlich: Housing Anywhere? |url=https://5vier.de/wer-ist-eigentlich-housing-anywhere-185971.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=5vier.de |language=de-DE}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=European rental platform expands into the UK |url=https://www.propertywire.com/adviser-news/european-rental-platform-expands-into-the-uk/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=PropertyWire |language=en-GB}} The platform enables online viewings, bookings, and rent, and other fee collection through a payment system. It is headquartered in Rotterdam, and operates in 125 cities across US and Europe. It teams up with over 300 partner universities and, along with its sister brands Kamernet and Studapart, has over 30 million users yearly.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-22 |title=Europe's largest rental platform, HousingAnywhere to launch in cities in the UK as part of global expansion |url=https://www.businessupnorth.co.uk/europes-largest-rental-platform-housinganywhere-to-launch-in-cities-in-the-uk-as-part-of-global-expansion/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Business Up North |language=en-GB}}
HousingAnywhere oversees three brands: HousingAnywhere, Kamernet (fully acquired), and Studapart (majority stake).{{Cite web |title=HousingAnywhere kiest voor nieuwe merkidentiteit |url=https://vastgoedjournaal.nl/news/61542/housinganywhere-kiest-voor-nieuwe-merkidentiteit |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Vastgoedjournaal.nl |language=nl}}
In 2023, Jim Bijwaard was appointed as COO and Erik Gruwel became CFO.{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-10-11 |title=Hoe Niels van Deuren van HousingAnywhere groot maakte met uitgekiend 'playbook' {{!}} Sprout |url=https://mtsprout.nl/groei/niels-van-deuren-treedt-terug-bij-housinganywhere-en-deelt-zijn-playbook-lessen |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=MT/Sprout |language=nl-NL}}{{Cite web |title=Erik Gruwel aangesteld als CFO bij HousingAnywhere |url=https://cfo.nl/artikel/%7B%7B%20canonicalUrl%20%7D%7D |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=cfo.nl |language=nl}}
In March 2022, HousingAnywhere launched a dedicated housing platform to support displaced individuals affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=SEDEÑO |first=VERÓNICA |date=2022-03-24 |title=Cómo ayudar a los refugiados de Ucrania a través de una plataforma de alojamiento |url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/vivienda-en-barcelona/20220324/ayudar-refugiados-ucrania-traves-plataforma-13425485 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.elperiodico.com |language=es}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-03-10 |title=Conflitto in Ucraina: a chi rivolgersi per accogliere i rifugiati |url=https://www.immobiliare.it/news/conflitto-in-ucraina-come-accogliere-i-rifugiati-nelle-proprie-case-e-a-chi-rivolgersi-66529/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Immobiliare.it News |language=it-IT}}