Flatshare finder, SmoovUp, has expanded beyond its native France to launch the service in 6 new countries: UK, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxemburg, and Australia — and says that the U.S. and Canada should follow soon.
Self-funded, and two years in operation, SmoovUp differentiates itself from other room-for-rent or flatshare marketplaces by putting an emphasis on matching people to each other rather than simply matching people to accommodation.
One way to think of the service is more like an online dating site. Upon sign-up, users take a quiz – the “SmoovTest” – that lists all of the points of agreement which SmoovUp has determined are required for a successful flatshare. This then forms the basis for each user’s profile, which is supposed to reflect their own “lifestyle and values”. Then, just like a dating site, SmoovUp calculates a matching score in relation to other members to help find the perfect match.
In addition, SmoovUp is targeting landlords and real-estate agencies who can post ads on the site for free so that flatmates — after successfully being matched — can easily find a place to rent.
In fact, almost all of the functionality of SmoovUp is free for both flatmate seekers and landlords, with the company offering premium memberships for users who want greater visibility for their ad. Premium memberships range from £7 for a 7 day highlight to £18 for a month.