French start-up Bnbsitter raises $2.5 million funding

A rental accommodation concierge services provider start-up has attracted $2.5 million in funding.

A rental accommodation concierge services provider start-up has attracted $2.5 million in funding.

The round attracted by Paris-based Bnbsitter comes after initial seed funding of $500,000 in 2014.

The company, founded in 2013, offers bespoke key drop-offs for guest check-in and check-out, cleaning, laundry, replenishment services and guest co-ordination for a lead-in of €19.99.

The platform has hosted more than 50,000 travellers in less than three years using 4,000 homes and sees itself as an addition to short term let and exchange platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, or Homelidays and Misterbnb.

The Series A round was backed by Frederic Mazzella, founder of BlaBlaCar, and French venture capital firm CapDecisif Management.

Bnbsitter has also benefited from prize funding which accompanied a Bpifrance award for ‘Digital Innovation’ in 2015.

Bnbsitter plans to continue with expansion across Europe and plans to open a London office before the end of the year. Further expansion into the US and Latin America is being considered.

Company founder, Piero Cipriano, said: “We are thrilled to have realised a Series A round with some incredible investors who believe in our concept and are supporting growth through this next phase.

“The ‘on demand’ economy is burgeoning in all sectors and Bnbsitter is at the forefront of services for the short term rental market.

“Our vision is to become the world’s leading provider of essential, high quality services on demand and we’re excited to embark on this next expansion era.

“To this end, we are already developing an amazing app which will revolutionize the user experience, allowing people to book concierge services in real time.”

Mazzella said: “With the support of its new investors, Bnbsitter’s ambition is to start a new phase of its development with a focus on honing efficiency and ease of use for customers.

“In order to guarantee quality, Bnbsitter already provides training to more than 300 concierges and their customer service allows for last minute bookings up to 24 hours before the arrival of travellers.

“The company’s philosophy is simple – to make life easier for homeowners using short-term rental sites.”