While short-term rental platforms haven’t been attracting investors at the same pace as during the pandemic boom, there are signs of a comeback. This week, two niche vacation rental startups secured nearly $50 million in combined funding.

Landfolk Targets Empty Vacation Homes in Europe

One of the funded companies is Landfolk, a vacation rental platform founded by former Airbnb employees. Landfolk focuses on helping owners rent out their vacation homes, which typically sit vacant for most of the year. The company estimates that in northern Europe alone, 1.3 million vacation homes are unused for an average of 300 days annually.

Landfolk currently boasts over 3,000 properties across Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Sweden. Their tech platform even offers connections with cleaning services, allowing owners to automate housekeeping tasks. The $11.2 million Series A funding will be used to expand into new European markets, enhance product automation, and boost marketing efforts.

Indie Campers Offers RV and Camper Van Rentals

The other notable funding recipient is Indie Campers, a platform specialising in renting camper vans and RVs. Interestingly, a smaller US competitor in this niche recently shut down due to lack of funding. Indie Campers, on the other hand, has secured $38.1 million to fuel its growth.

The Lisbon-based startup boasts a fleet of 7,000 vehicles, including both its own inventory and those owned by individual and professional RV hosts. These vehicles are available for rent across Europe, Oceania, and North America. The funding will go towards developing their digital platform, adding new products and services, hiring talent, and achieving global expansion.

Overall Funding Roundup

In addition to the niche vacation rental platforms, this week saw a total of $100 million raised by six different travel startups. Here’s a quick breakdown of the other funding news:

  • Planned, a platform for sourcing and booking events, secured $35 million in Series B funding.
  • Landfolk, as mentioned above, raised $11.2 million in Series A funding.
  • Namma Yatri, an Indian mobility app offering auto rickshaw, taxi, and public transport booking, secured $11 million in pre-Series A funding.
  • Essentialist, a members-only travel agency specialising in luxury trips, raised $10 million in Series A funding.
  • TurnStay, a South African payments platform for travel companies in Africa, secured $300,000 in funding.