This European startup wants to help Airbnb hosts in Asia step up their game

Photo by Nicki Dugan Pogue

A couple of years back, Nakul Sharma and his wife Deepti Patankar became Airbnb hosts. At that time, Nakul, who has an MBA from INSEAD, was a director with the InterContinental Hotels Group in London. Deepti, a National Law School Bangalore grad, was a lawyer with the MNC Linklaters.

The couple soon found the going hard in taking care of their Airbnb guests’ needs alongside their full-time jobs. Nakul then drew on his hospitality experience and contacts to put together a team of housekeepers and concierges to give guests a better experience.

Soon the penny dropped. Other Airbnb hosts were probably facing the same difficulties they had encountered. So, last year, the couple quit their high profile jobs to launch Hostmaker, providing management services to Airbnb hosts from check-in to the nitty gritty like cleaning and fresh linen.

“The uncertainty of not knowing what you are going to get is still a hurdle for many to book a home on Airbnb. Hostmaker’s aim is to bring hotel quality consistent standards to homes without losing the uniqueness of the homes themselves,” says Nakul.

$2 million funding and expansion to Asia

The startup initially offered its services in London, Barcelona, and Rome, notching up 5,000 Airbnb hosts as clients. But today Hostmaker announced US$2 million in seed funding which will enable it to provide the services to Airbnb hosts in Asia.

DN Capital led the funding round with participation from the Asia-focused DSG Consumer Partners. “We have started thinking about Asia where Airbnb is experiencing rapid growth and are pleased to have DSG Consumer Partners on board,” says Nakul.

DSG has significant experience in the hospitality business with investments in Sula Wines, Cleartrip, OYO Rooms, and Eazydiner in India. “Hostmaker helps Airbnb hosts optimize yield and occupancy to maximize revenue, while ensuring that the guests have a wonderful stay,” says Deepak Shahdadpuri, MD of DSG Consumer Partners.

Former MD of Airbnb India Mohit Srivastava is among the other investors in Hostmaker.

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