Wunderflats raises $21 million

Berlin-based start-up Wunderflats is benefiting from the booming market for second homes and has raised USD 21 million in a recent funding round.

The platform for second homes Wunderflats has raised 21 million US dollars in a current financing round. Oslo-based venture capitalist Verdane leads the round, with existing investors including PropTech1, Creathor, IBB Ventures and Axel Springer Digital Ventures. The money will be used to drive expansion within Europe.

Founded in 2015 by Jan Hase and Arkadi Jampolski, the company offers furnished apartments for extended rent - for example, for companies that send employees abroad for some time or for people with two residences. "With the emergence of new and more flexible working environments, the demand for temporary housing will continue to grow, and with it the need for temporary furnished housing," says Hase. Currently, the Berlin-based company employs 109 people.

Verdane also sees a promising market in Wunderflats' offering, "The relevance of this business model will continue to grow as the trend of `work from anywhere' and `long-term stays' becomes more popular," says Maroje Guertl of the venture capitalist. "We look forward to working with the excellent team at Wunderflats to expand the offering across Europe."

Verdane invests primarily in the growth and buyout stage of companies. Most recently, the Oslo-based firm, which also has a headquarters in Berlin, launched a €540 million fund.