Screenshot of Ivylla
Ivylla is a global network where trusted alumni and friends from international top universities can share quality travel accommodations. Designed as the upscale alternative to Airbnb, Ivylla aims to ensure certain home quality while providing a platform for networking or making friends.
As an exclusive home rental platform, Ivylla adopts real-name registration and users have to provide information to verify their status, such as email of a certain university, LinkedIn homepage, or member referrals. The site now has constructed the alumni communities for around 150 top international universities mainly from the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
As a host, users can rent out extra rooms to trusted university alumni and friends by posting prices, pictures, and descriptions of the place on Ivylla. Travelers can find convenient accommodations for next travel plans, whether it’s for business or pleasure, over a few days or for several months. Travelers also can book the rooms on the platform and pay the fares via PayPal, credit card, or AliPay.
The service is launched in Silicon Valley last September by three Chinese co-founders with overseas study experiences: CEO Gu Xiaocheng, CTO Yang Xiaosong, and COO Wan Ming. The company is presently seeking for angel investment.
Several similar domestic startups have received investments last year. Mayi.com secured Series A round of up to $10 million in Jan. 2013. Xiaozhu booked millions of Series A funding and Tujia raised a combined 400 million yuan in Series A and Series B round of financing.
image credit: Ivylla