In the bustling cities of India, finding suitable, scam-free accommodation remains a daunting task for many working professionals, particularly bachelors. Traditional avenues often prove unreliable, leaving individuals vulnerable to scams and high fees, exacerbated by safety concerns for women.
Hemant Solanki, driven by personal experiences, co-founded Citynect to address these challenges. His journey began when he assisted a dissatisfied friend in search of better housing options than the problematic PG accommodations typically available.
Despite exploring popular portals like Magicbricks and Housing.com, the friend fell victim to brokers’ scams, highlighting a pervasive issue.
Citynect was thus born out of the necessity to create a safe, supportive community for urban bachelors seeking reliable accommodation solutions. Initially faced with market unfamiliarity and skepticism, Hemant and his co-founder Dhruv Mehta persevered, leveraging platforms like WhatsApp to cultivate a trustworthy user base. This grassroots approach proved successful, with membership growing from 3,000 to 10,000 through referrals alone within months.
The startup distinguishes itself by catering specifically to the underserved demographic of working professionals aged 18 to 25. Unlike platforms targeting students or older adults, Citynect facilitates direct connections between tenants and property owners, eliminating brokerage fees and enhancing affordability.
Operating on a subscription-based model, Citynect charges users upfront for access to its comprehensive accommodation listings. Future plans include expanding service offerings to include background verification and rent agreements, enhancing value for users and increasing revenue streams.
Despite starting with minimal capital, Citynect has thrived as a bootstrapped entity, supplemented by an SSIP grant and strategic use of resources like AWS credits. Profitable with over 60% margins, the startup remains committed to organic growth, supported by a dedicated team of interns managing operations.
Looking ahead, Citynect aims to scale nationally and internationally, recognizing similar accommodation challenges globally. Integrating AI technology into its platform is a key strategy to enhance user experience and provide real solutions to everyday problems faced by urban dwellers.
As Citynect continues to expand its footprint, its mission remains steadfast: to redefine how urban professionals find accommodation, fostering a community-driven approach that prioritizes reliability, transparency, and affordability in an increasingly competitive market.