A new real estate startup in Chicago officially launched today with backing from several well-known investors.
Livly, a startup building a tech platform for property managers and renters, announced it has raised $10 million in funding from investors including Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Navitas Capital, and JLL Spark, JLL's $100 million fund that invests in tech startups.
Livly's software aims to be a one-stop-shop to help property owners manage their rental properties. Its platform allows owners to collect rental payment, offer tenants easy access to renter's insurance, manage maintenance requests and track in-unit package deliveries. It also acts as a central digital tool for renters to communicate with property owners and request services.
The platform, which has been up and running for two years during a private beta mode in Chicago, plans to soon handle other common rental needs like grocery delivery, laundry service, housekeeping and mobile-based unit entry, the company said.
The startup was founded by Alex Samoylovich, the co-founder and managing partner at Cedar Street Capital, a real estate investment company.
"We aim to bring joy back to the renter experience, while bringing lost and new revenue as well as a positive reputation back to property owners and managers," Samoylovich said in a statement.
Livly isn't the only startup working to improve communication between property owner and renter. Chicago startup Avail also helps landlords collect rent and manage maintenance issues, and it raised $2 million in 2017. HqO, a Boston-based startup, offers similar services but for commercial real estate. It also counts JLL and the Pritzker Group among its investors.
