Ukio secures $9M to expand its flexible housing solution across Europe

Ukio provides an alternative to the traditional housing market by offering a network of design-forward, turnkey apartments for monthly stays. With a fresh influx of capital and a rapidly-scaling customer base, Ukio will focus on expanding into new markets using a full stack technology approach.

Barcelona, 23rd of September, 2021 - Ukio, the Barcelona-based real estate technology start-up, announced today that it has raised over $9M in a seed funding round led by Breega with participation from Heartcore and Partech and additional support from business angels Iñaki Berenguer, Founder of Coverwallet, and Avi Meir, Founder of Travelperk.

Tired of the exhausting search and high costs of finding and furnishing a home, brothers Stanley (ex-Airbnb) and Jeremy Fourteau (ex-Headspace) founded Ukio in 2020 to bring this commonly experienced and yet often stressful process into the 21st century. Avoiding time-consuming paperwork and apartment hunting hassle, Ukio provides carefully-vetted and fully-furnished apartments for monthly stays using a fully digitized customer experience from search to check-out. 

Being able to quickly and seamlessly find a home in a new city  has become even more relevant today, as the global workforce becomes more mobile. By 2022, 32% of all employees worldwide will be remote, with this trend forecasted to continue in the coming years. This new way of working is redefining mobility, giving people the freedom and flexibility to live where they want when they want.

Despite strong downturns in the rental market, Ukio has grown to a portfolio of 100 apartments in Barcelona and Madrid, maintaining a 95% occupancy rate in 2021. By the end of next year, Ukio plans to operate 700 apartments across six European capitals with Lisbon launching imminently. In addition, Ukio plans to further the development of its full stack end-to-end technology as well as its unique internal operating system to support its European expansion. 

With design being at the core of Ukio’s DNA, all apartments are handpicked and individually furnished, offering a consistently upscale experience. Powered with renewable energy and equipped with handcrafted furniture by local artisans, all homes adhere to the highest standards of sustainability while delivering supreme comfort, making guests feel at home as soon as they walk through the door.

“Ukio enables a new way of living, making the process as simple as possible while maintaining the convenience and comfort of a place that feels like home”, says Stanley Fourteau, CEO and Co-Founder.

“As the world becomes more mobile and flexible, the demand for more dynamic living experiences will continue to grow further. With this new funding and the support of our incredible venture partners and business angels, Ukio will continue to set a new tone for the housing market and lead the industry into the future of living”, adds Jeremy Fourteau, Co-Founder. 

"The global pandemic has seen a drastic shift in the way we approach travel and stays. The trend in mid-term lets that began with GenZs looking for flexible “NOwnership”, is evolving further with many companies extending their “work from home” policies, travelling professionals opting for alternative accommodations and families relocating. Properties that work for mid-term stays need to meet certain requirements in terms of quality, location and amenities, hence the need for a solution like Ukio that is specifically focused on this market segment. We believe that Ukio’s trailblazing team, with their unique offering, will be able to deliver on their promise to meet this unmet need and take over the world!” concludes Isabelle Gallo, Partner at Breega. 

The name Ukio is Japanese and stands for “living in the moment”. In line with Japanese standards of excellence, the Fourteau brothers are bringing the needs of today’s generation to the forefront, building a digitalised future for housing. 

Ukio - A HOME WHEREVER YOU GO. 

To learn more about Ukio please visit: https://www.ukio.com/