Navigating the rental market in the Philippines can be an overwhelming task, especially for students and young professionals moving away from home. Finding the right place to stay often involves sifting through unverified listings, dealing with unreliable landlords, and falling victim to scams. Dormy, a tech-driven rental platform, was created to change all of that. With the support of AHG Lab, Dormy has rapidly scaled its operations and carved out a niche as a trusted rental platform in the Philippines.
A Dorm Room Startup with a Big Vision
Dormy’s story begins with Kurt Gutierrez and Sean Franciso. Both were then students at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), who experienced first-hand the pain points of finding student accommodations. Together, they founded Dormy as a solution to these common frustrations. They were then joined by DLSU students Alyssa Wee and Bryce Cataran later in the year. “We’re your stereotypical ‘dorm room’ startup,” Kurt recalls, who now serves as the company’s CEO.
Initially, the platform was focused on student housing, but soon the team realized the scope of the problem extended far beyond university dormitories. “We initially began with a strong focus on the student housing market but eventually noticed that the same problem was experienced by anyone ever having to rent a residential space,” Kurt explains.
In response to this broader need, Dormy expanded its scope to include a wide variety of residential rental properties, ranging from condominiums to apartments. Today, the platform has amassed nearly 2,000 listed units and boasts over 20,000 registered users.
A Tech-First Solution to an Age-Old Problem
Dormy sets itself apart by offering a streamlined, fully digital experience for both renters and landlords. Kurt describes Dormy’s ecosystem approach: “Sending inquiries are integrated with SMS notifications; requests for ocular viewings are linked to Calendar apps; and team management features are in place.” The platform simplifies every aspect of the rental process, from browsing listings to communicating with landlords and even completing rental payments online.
One of the key issues Dormy addresses is the lack of transparency and security in the rental market, particularly for students and young professionals who are new to independent living. “We want to make the search-to-signing experience safe and seamless,” Alyssa Wee, Dormy’s co-founder and COO, says. “We’re your rental companion in your new chapter of life, ensuring that your move-in is not only seamless but also stress-free.”
For renters, Dormy provides a vetted platform where listings are verified and transactions are secure, reducing the risk of scams. Alyssa adds, “We’re passionate about empowering our community with knowledge. We regularly release content that covers essential renting topics—from moving to a new city, managing relationships with landlords, to avoiding scams.”
Empowering Landlords and Property Owners
Dormy isn’t just a renter-focused platform. The company places equal emphasis on supporting landlords and property owners, helping them maximize their rental income with minimal hassle. Alyssa points out that Dormy provides “personalized guidance in achieving their rental income goals—from helping them navigate the platform, optimizing their rental visibility, to getting their first tenants.” This dual approach, supporting both renters and landlords, makes Dormy a comprehensive solution in the rental market.
By partnering with top brands like Filinvest Land, MyTown Co-living, and Urban Pad, Dormy has gained insights into the needs of property developers and individual landlords alike. This extensive collaboration has allowed the company to build a product that addresses the pain points of both sides of the rental equation.
Lessons from Building a Startup
Building Dormy into a fast-growing startup hasn’t come without its challenges. Alyssa shares that working with a team from diverse backgrounds can sometimes make consensus difficult, especially when resources are limited. “At times, ideas might need to remain mutually exclusive,” she admits, but adds that “leveraging differences uncovers blind spots.”
One of the most valuable lessons Alyssa has learned is the importance of learning from failure. “Failure is not fatal, but only to a certain extent,” she says. “You shouldn't be afraid to try and fail, but you shouldn't also be afraid to find out ‘why’ after trying and take action.”
Kurt echoes a similar sentiment, especially in his role as the CEO of Dormy. He acknowledges the pressure that comes with making decisions that affect the company’s employees, customers, and partners. “As the team’s CEO, there’s always the underlying pressure and doubt knocking: ‘Are we calling the correct shots?’” he says. However, Kurt remains committed to his mantra that “team is everything” and strives to create a startup environment where everyone can grow both personally and professionally.
AHG Lab’s Role in Scaling Dormy
Supporting Dormy’s growth was AHG Lab, one of the largest independent venture builders in the Philippines. AHG Lab’s mentorship was particularly valuable for Kurt: “AHG Lab has been amazing in helping us view business beyond theory.”
Dormy was able to transition from a university side project into a viable business with a growing team. The venture builder’s guidance helped Kurt and Alyssa navigate the complexities of scaling a startup, from product development to market strategy. This partnership has enabled Dormy to continuously improve its platform and expand its reach within the Philippine rental market.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for Dormy?
Though Dormy has already made significant strides in the rental market, both Kurt and Alyssa are far from complacent. Kurt teases that many of the platform’s most exciting features are still in development. “We’ve yet to launch our concretely advantageous features as most of it is still in stealth,” he says. The goal is to make Dormy the first platform in the Philippines to provide a fully end-to-end, digital rental experience that covers everything from search to move-in.
As Dormy continues to evolve, Alyssa remains motivated by her desire to leave a positive impact on the world. “I want to leave this world better than I found it, and that starts with being hungry for growth,” she says.
With a clear mission, a tech-forward approach, and the support of AHG Lab, Dormy is well on its way to revolutionizing the rental experience in the Philippines, empowering both renters and landlords along the way.
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