Foundation story November WG Match
Finding affordable living space or an apartment at all is a real challenge at the moment. Sebastian Baumann (24) also faced this challenge when he was looking for a room in a shared flat in Lüneburg. As a student, he had applied to many shared flats and simply didn't get any answers. On the other hand, shared flats were bombarded with requests and were simply overwhelmed when it came to choosing their new flatmates. Sebastian quickly realized that there had to be an easier way. Together with Jason Mann (24), Elias Peeters (24) and Noah Peeters (27), he developed the idea of WG Match, which works on the principle of a dating app. Here they bring together seekers with all forms of shared living space on one platform.
Kevin Münkel
To make this work, the app is based on a swipe and match principle for optimal allocation. In the meantime, the app has helped many students in Lüneburg, Hanover, Hamburg and Berlin to find the right room. Expansion to other cities is planned.
Jason, how much does it cost to use your app?
The app is free of charge for searchers and providers. We want to generate revenue through advertising, as well as paid and premium models and web-based subscription platforms that can be used by local providers, for example. We are currently still gathering user experience. This will result in new features and updates that will further improve and simplify the shared flat search. We want to open up additional areas of cohabitation. To this end, we have already developed a successor app, WG Sync, with cleaning schedules, shopping lists and recipe suggestions through to managing a shared flat. This makes us a MUST for every shared flat and we are always there.
Does that mean you currently have a great hobby with WG Match?
We are (still) young adults, some of whom are still studying or have just started working. We currently have hardly any expenses. We did the programming and everything else around it ourselves. We also received a start-up grant, which helped to cushion external costs for marketing, for example. We were also able to complete a successful "Family & Friends" round and have also invested our private assets. At the moment, however, our focus is on moving the app forward and helping millions of people to make the search process quicker, easier and more fun. Our aim is to help as many people as possible to find a suitable place to stay, not only in Germany but also abroad. We also want to push ahead with our "Housing for Help" project.
What is meant by "living for help"?
Many older people live alone in large houses or apartments. The children have left home, a partner may have already passed away. The empty rooms could be used by students who offer their help in return. Be it shopping, shoveling snow or even mowing the lawn. In this way, we bring older and younger people together, promote social coexistence and help to create new shared living space.
How do you find out about the app?
We organize events for students that focus on the fun factor. That's how you automatically find WG-Match. What's more, word gets around very quickly among students about how and through whom you found a room.
How did hannoverimpuls support you in setting up the company?
We took part in "Einfach Gründen" and talked to many professionals about our ideas. That alone was great. Later, we were among the nominees for the last Startup Impulse competition. The preparation for the last competition really helped a lot. We were able to take away a lot of points that helped us a lot. Once you're on the hannoverimpuls mailing list, you always get important impulses and contact with other founders, which also helps us.
What tips do you have for other founders?
You shouldn't be too set in your ways and also have the courage to deviate from the original idea. Let others test your ideas. Then you can quickly get a feel for how the idea is received. This motivates you and gives you new perspectives and ideas. You should also not simply think away problems, but find innovative solutions to them. Because problems don't usually solve themselves.
Setting up as a team was easier for us than doing everything on our own. Everyone has their strengths and there are corresponding sparring partners.
Contact details:
WG Match UG (limited liability)
Jason Mann
Tel.: 0159-02313385
E-mail: jason.mann@wg-match.de
How was the collaboration with hannoverimpuls?
We had several contact persons. Overall, the collaboration was very good. There was a lot of input that we were able to implement well. It was fun. And the network was also able to help us in many areas.
Anke Pawla, Project Manager Start-up and Entrepreneurship at hannoverimpuls on the "WG Match" team:
A good idea that is needed right now. I'm pretty sure that WG Match will continue to celebrate success with its founding team.