In recent years, proptech startups have been revolutionizing the real estate industry in Latin America, and Habi is no exception. Founded in 2019 and based in Colombia, Habi is on a mission to transform the way Colombians buy and sell homes. With a focus on technology and innovation, Habi offers solutions to the country's real estate challenges, making it easier and more accessible for people to own their own homes. In this article, we'll dive into Habi's story, their innovative solutions, and what the future holds for this proptech startup.
🖊️ Startup Name
The name Habi comes from the word “habitat”, which means the natural environment of an organism. Habi's mission is to provide people with a better living environment, which makes the name quite fitting.
📅 Year Founded
Habi was founded in 2019.
📍Location(s)
The startup is headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, but it is active in several other locations throughout the country.
🧍 Team
The founding team is composed of Brynne McNulty Rojas (CEO), Sebastian Noguera (COO). Brynne McNulty Rojas is an experienced entrepreneur and investor who previously co-founded an edtech startup in the US. Sebastian Noguera has a background in real estate.
🔍 Problem
In Colombia, buying or renting a property can be a daunting task. There is often a lack of transparency in the real estate market, and the process can be time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, many people lack access to reliable information and tools to make informed decisions about their housing needs.
💡 Solution
Habi's solution is to streamline the process of buying and renting real estate in Colombia. The company offers a platform that provides users with access to a wide range of properties, along with all the relevant information they need to make informed decisions. Users can search for properties based on their preferences, and the platform also provides guidance on the legal and financial aspects of the process. Habi also provides sellers with fast liquidity by offering to buy their home in 1o days. Sellers just have to provide the address, characteristics of the property, and their contact details, and one of Habi's experts will make them an offer.
🧑 Target Customer
Habi's target customers are primarily young professionals and families who are looking for a better living environment. These people typically value transparency, convenience, and affordability. Habi's customers also tend to be tech-savvy and comfortable using online platforms.
💳 Business Model
Habi's business model is based on a commission-based fee structure. The company generates revenue by charging a commission on each transaction that is completed through its platform.
🚀 Traction
Since its launch in 2019, Habi has quickly gained traction in the Colombian real estate market. The company has attracted over USD $390M in funding from top-tier investors, and it has helped thousands of people buy and sell their homes.
🥊 Competition
Habi's main competitors are traditional real estate agencies, as well as other proptech startups that operate in Colombia. However, Habi differentiates itself from its competitors by offering a more streamlined and transparent process, as well as a broader range of properties and services.
💰 Funding
Habi has raised almost USD $400M in funding from top-tier investors, including Kaszek Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that has backed some of the most successful startups in Latin America, as well as SoftBank Latin America, Tiger Global Management, and Endeavor Catalyst, among others.
🌤️ Opportunities
Habi sees a lot of opportunities for growth in the Colombian real estate market, as well as in other countries in the region. The company also sees opportunities to expand its services beyond real estate, such as by offering home insurance and other related products.
🏔️ Challenges
One of the main challenges that Habi faces is the highly fragmented and complex nature of the real estate market in Colombia. The company also needs to continue to innovate and differentiate itself in order to stay ahead of its competitors.
📅 What's Next?
Habi's next steps include expanding its services to new locations throughout Colombia, as well as launching in other countries in the region. The company also plans to continue to innovate and improve its platform in order to provide even better service to its customers.
