Roomies is a peer to peer members only network to that makes it easy for students, interns or travelers to find short term rentals and swap rooms in big cities like Barcelona.
The Challenge
Finding affordable housing in major cities is challenging. In Barcelona, the rental market has become increasingly difficult, with housing costs skyrocketing while young adults’ incomes remain limited. The numbers are stark – rent prices have plummeted in affordability across European cities.
Why Now?
With Barcelona implementing strict short-term rental regulations, the housing market is ripe for innovation. The international student population in Spain has been steadily growing, reaching over 208,000 annually by 2020 – a 36% increase since 2015. Worldwide, the Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $120.77B represents the worldwide short-term rental market. This figure makes obvious the enormous global demand for flexible, affordable housing options – a demand that Roomies is well-positioned to capitalize on with its innovative peer-to-peer platform.
Zooming in on the local market, the SAM and SOM data points that are particularly relevant for Roomies’ launch in Barcelona. The Serviceable Available Market (SAM) of $34-$46B represents the short-term rental opportunity within the city itself, indicating a sizable and lucrative segment that Roomies can target. Perhaps most compelling is the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of $180-$240M. This figure represents the specific portion of the Barcelona short-term rental market that Roomies can realistically capture with its tailored offering for students, interns, and young travelers
How Roomies Works
What distinguishes Roomies is its unique approach to student housing. Unlike traditional rental platforms, it offers a hyper-focused solution with a rigorous verification process, community-building strategy. The platform addresses the critical need for affordable, flexible housing by creating a trusted, user-centric marketplace specifically designed for students, interns, and travelers.
- Create Your Profile: Simple and straightforward signup
- Verify Your Accommodation: Ensuring safety and trust
- Choose Your Destination: Find like-minded travelers
- Book Your Stay: Seamless room swapping mechanism
Housing is more than just a roof over one’s head. For students and young professionals, it’s about connection, opportunity, and belonging. With the platform, traditional housing search is transformed from a transactional process into a vibrant, supportive community journey.
Verification becomes an act of mutual trust, not a bureaucratic hurdle. By carefully screening accommodations and user profiles, Roomies creates a safe ecosystem where students feel protected and valued.
What Sets Roomies Apart
Unlike traditional platforms like Airbnb, Roomies offers unique advantages:
- Targeted Focus: Specifically designed for students, interns, and travelers
- Advanced Matching: Smart algorithm connecting compatible roommates
- Enhanced Safety: Strict verification process and reputation system
- Cost-Effective: Lower costs compared to traditional rentals
Our Vision and Growth Strategy
Roomies has developed a strategic go-to-market plan that addresses the challenges of student housing through a phased, systematic approach. The initial three-month phase focuses on prototype development and market validation, with a budget of €5,000 dedicated to creating a secure, user-friendly platform that can attract 1,500 early adopters through university presentations and targeted social media campaigns.
The second phase, spanning four to six months, emphasizes customer acquisition and community building. By leveraging a campus ambassador program and targeted advertising, Roomies aims to reach 7,500 verified users while maintaining a low user acquisition cost. The platform will offer a free base membership with a premium option at €9.99 per month, generating revenue through a commission model and building user engagement through a reputation scoring system.
Financial Outlook
The financial projections are promising. With an initial investment of €20,000, the targets are:
- Year 1: €406,168 in revenue
- Year 2: €1,156,019 in revenue
- Year 3: €1,905,869 in revenue
Financial projections show promising growth, with revenue expected to increase from €406,168 in the first year to €1,905,869 by the third year. The strategy targets a gross margin of 40-50% and a break-even point of 10,000 active users. To support this growth, Roomies is expanding its team with key hires in marketing, community management, and technical development.
Sign up today and start your housing journey with Roomies – where finding a room is more than a transaction, it’s a community experience!
