Property management company AvantStay announced yesterday it has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Bullpen Capital, bringing their total funding to $6 million. AvantStay manages 60 short-term rentals that cater to groups, particularly Millennials, and specializes in offering local experiences with each stay. The company is currently operating in the Coachella Valley, Paso Robles, Scottsdale, Temecula, San Diego, and Tahoe markets.
Founded in 2016, AvantStay manages operations from its offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles through tech automation to communicate with guests, manage maintenance and cleaning, and provide customer service. The company also works closely with Airbnb on technology initiatives, policy updates, and market demands.
The latest funding will help AvantStay further invest in its operational technology infrastructure, expand to new markets, and grow its inventory to more than 200 homes by the end of 2019.
“For 2019, our focus is on beach towns, deserts oases, mountain areas, and national parks on the west coast,” said Reuben Doetsch, co-founder of AvantStay. “We’re looking for truly experiential locations with unique properties for groups that want to get away and enjoy time together.” On the technology side, the company is working on improving its operational technology to manage hundreds of properties across multiple regions, as well as enhancing the group-focused customer experience, Doetsch said.
Other investors in the round include F-Prime Capital, Zeno Ventures, and Convivialité Ventures, with continued participation from existing investors Abstract Ventures and Presidio Bay Ventures.
Stayed at the Cadillac Ranch house in Phonenix. It was a disaster from the wrong check in instructions we got via email and fhe gong show that followed until we finally got in through the garage. The yard was filthy, covered in in dirt, debris and bird feces, including the pool, hot tub, all out door furniture and BBQ. Was disgusting. The kitchen counters were dirty and stained. The entire house wreaked of plastic because all window coverings were 100% PLASTIC! This is not just tacky but extremely unhealthy. We left after two hours and Avantstsy refused to help us and refused to refund our money! No way to run a business. Ruined our six day vacay.