News / The University of Bristol
The Bristol startup shaking up the student rental sector
An entrepreneur who launched a business while at university is now in the process of securing funding to take it to the next level.
Born out of frustration with the student rental sector, HYBR is the brainchild of Hannah Chappatte and co-founder Pablo Giacomi and aims to provide an inclusive platform that supports first-time tenants and offers a competitive service for landlords.
The disruptive lettings platform is shaking things up in the sector and has established a community of more than 1,000 students while operating on a shoestring budget.
Having recently secured funding from the Prince’s Trust and the Bristol University New Enterprise Competition, HYBR has now been selected for the upcoming grand final of the NatWest Life’s a Pitch 2021, taking place on Thursday, with the chance to win £10,000.
https://twitter.com/hybr_uk/status/1291323022226358273
Talking about the origins of the company, Hannah, a recent University of Bristol graduate, says: “As a student, I became aware of the toxic relationship between letting agents, landlords and students. Students hated renting and they distrusted landlords, while landlords distrusted students.
“So, in my final year of university, my flatmate and I launched HYBR and began pitching it to local students and landlords. Our mission is to raise the standards of student renting by creating a win-win for all involved.”
She says the existing choices were between traditional “brick and mortar letting agents” and online platform, which are aimed more at the professional rental sector, so spotted a gap in the market for a student-focussed alternative.
“We’re disrupting student renting by building an inclusive space for students, at an affordable price for landlords,” says Hannah.
“There are 2.5 million students in the UK and 1.5 million live away from home, and studies confirm that a huge proportion hate the rental process.
“There is a lot of anxiety over finding the right accommodation, the right housemates, understanding contracts and being taken advantage of by people with the wrong intentions.”
Hannah Chappatte, co-founder and CEO of HYBR, is shaking things up in the student rental sector – photo courtesy of Hannah Chappatte
HYBR works to provide students with the support and advice they need, while bridging the gaps between landlords and tenants.
The startup was recently voted the number one student lettings platform in Bristol by The Tab magazine, and in the final of the Bristol Property Awards for “Rising Star” and “Best Residential Agent”.
Hannah, who studied liberal arts at university, hopes to be able to expand her team and help thousands more students if she is successful in securing the £10,000 funding.
Read more: Enterprising women showcase celebrates innovative Bristol startups
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