SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kindred, a members-only home swapping network, today announced it raised $7.75M in seed funding. By creating a trusted network for exchanging homes, Kindred enables renters and owners alike to take advantage of remote-work flexibility and explore new destinations for a fraction of the cost of a hotel or rental home. Andreessen Horowitz led the round with other prominent investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Caffeinated Capital, and individual investors including Elad Gil, Eric Wu (co-founder and CEO, Opendoor), Payal Kadakia (founder, ClassPass), Rohan Seth (co-founder and CTO, Clubhouse), and Adena Hefets (co-founder and CEO, Divvy Homes).
Inspired by the flexibility offered by remote work, co-founders Justine Palefsky and Tasneem Amina sought to create a travel company that empowers individuals to live a travel-rich lifestyle. Kindred's groundbreaking home swapping network harnesses the power of community, and gives members a new way to travel more without having to pay for expensive vacation rentals or rent out their own home. By focusing on sharing rather than monetizing, Kindred does not take homes off the market or inflate housing prices.
“Right now vacation rental prices are skyrocketing, making frequent travel and extended stays out of reach for so many. When you use Kindred, your budget goes further,” said co-founder and president Tasneem Amina. “We started Kindred with the goal of making travel a way of life, not just an occasional escape and we look forward to helping individuals break out of their daily routines while exploring new places.”
On Kindred, homeowners and renters alike can swap homes one-to-one or earn nights to book stays by offering their homes while they're away. For a $300 annual membership fee, individuals can book any available home for $0 per night in rental fees – just paying for the cost of cleaning and a $30 nightly service fee. Each stay automatically includes concierge support and host protection for an effortless experience.
“At its core, Kindred is about human connection,” said co-founder and CEO Justine Palefsky. “Everyone on Kindred came for the same reason – to live a more travel-rich lifestyle. By facilitating organic connections between members who have shared experiences or mutual friends, we create the environment of trust needed to take the leap."
Interested individuals can apply at LiveKindred.com.
About Kindred
Founded by Justine Palefsky and Tasneem Amina in 2021, Kindred is a home swapping network that allows members to live a travel-rich lifestyle for a fraction of the cost of a hotel or vacation rental. The network enables renters and homeowners to travel more without breaking the bank. To learn more visit LiveKindred.com or follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
