Houstr joins gBETA

Racine-based startup Houstr made headlines in July when the company was accepted into the Kenosha gBETA program.

Five startups headquartered in the Kenosha area were chosen to participate in the gBETA summer cohort. The free, seven-week, no-equity accelerator program provides startup founders with intensive business coaching and access to mentors, customers, corporate partners, and investors. The program is designed to set a path for startups based in southeastern Wisconsin to participate in equity-based accelerator programs and investment opportunities.

“We like the program. It’s been a really helpful experience. We’re grateful for it and we know we will pull a lot of value from it in the long run. All of the network connections have been huge, and it’s really helped me with honing how I communicate Houstr to different parties,” Houstr CEO Nick Koenen said.

Houstr in growth mode

Founders Nick Koenen and Denis Ouspenski launched Houstr in 2021 with the idea that Airbnb customers would be interested in purchasing bedding, appliances, and other household items after using the products in rental units. The company has created a marketplace platform designed to make short-term rental properties, including hotels, shoppable.

Despite still being in its pilot phase, the marketplace platform is already generating revenue and growing its user-base. The company’s pilot program, launched in 2022, began with 60 properties.

“We’ve grown to 150 properties, onboarding them from referrals. And we’re also in a few hotels right now, so if you count those doors, we’re probably closer to 500 plus rooms,” Koenen said.

“We can monetize products from over 10,000 different brands and retailers, so we’ve got the supply side of things figured out quite well. We’ve also got exclusive deals in place with some major retailers, like Etsy and Wayfair,” he said.

The company is currently working on partnerships in the travel industry that will create new marketing and revenue opportunities for the emerging marketplace platform.

Hourstr has contracted with a new technical team to refine the marketplace platform before launching it commercially. Koenen believes that the product will be available for broader use shortly.

The growth-focused company raised $300,000 from Gateway Capital in 2022 and does not have immediate plans for another funding round.

To follow the growth of Houstr, connect with the company here.