As we wrap up 2021, we want to first thank our customers and investors for having faith in us to achieve our mission of fulfilling our vision of “make ready, made easy.” We of course could NOT do any of this without our super talented team of employees and network of service professionals. Achieving this top 10 required effort from each and every one of you. Thank you! So, without further adieu …
#1: Launching our automated turn board, our first-ever online customer portal
You’ve heard us say before that our mission is to transform how the multifamily industry turns apartments. The key to that transformation is leveraging technology. So, we were thrilled to announce the Oct. launch of our automated turn board, our new customer portal that automatically schedules all customers’ services with the contractors/service providers required to prepare – or turn – an apartment for the next resident. Other platforms exist that solely digitize the calendar option, but this portal significantly improves on existing solutions by showing contractor availability, automatically scheduling work, and truly digitizing the traditional dry-erase board that apartment staff typically utilize to schedule and track the services. More of a visual learner? Get the vlog version from CEO Jonathan Kite instead.
#2: Expanding into not just one, but two new markets
That’s right – not one, but two markets! We first launched in Greenville, S.C., and followed that up with Tampa, Fla., bringing our total market count to five. We also service Atlanta, Ga., Charlotte, N.C. and Raleigh, N.C.
#3: Kicking off the year with a $10M Series A funding round
We announced our Series A investment in March and we’re proud to say that everyone was talking about it – from Fortune to MSN to WRAL TechWire to Charlotte Inno and more. The round was led by Grotech Ventures with participation from prior investors, including CreativeCo Capital, as well as six new institutional investors. The new capital positioned us to quickly scale geographically (see #2!); invest further in our technology (see #1!) and expand our team (see #5!).
#4: Being named a Charlotte Inno 2021 Startup to Watch & Fire Award winner
We were named to a select list of only 14 companies by Charlotte Inno, an arm of the Charlotte Business Journal that covers the startup and tech communities, as one poised to have a breakout year in 2021. AND, we were honored as a Charlotte Inno 2021 Fire Award winner. It was Charlotte Inno’s second annual Fire Awards, a list that honors 50 of the city’s startups, technology firms and organizations that are "on fire." The list was compiled through a combination of public nominations, expert input and editorial coverage. We feel that we lived up to both honors!
#5: Adding some of the best and brightest … to the best and brightest
Our small yet mighty team grew by leaps and bounds this year as we added 28 people to the Rent Ready corporate team! We can proudly and confidently say that our team is driven by encouragement, passion and talent! Explore our open positions and become part of the team.
#6: “Moving on up” with a new office
After successfully transitioning our entire company to remote work in 2020 to keep everyone safe, we moved into a new office this year and brought everyone (safely) back in. What can we say? We like collaborating and hanging out together! Featuring a rooftop lounge, foosball, drink cooler and more, 1431 W. Morehead St. is a fantastic spot to call home.
#7: Landing on the Inc. 5000 list again
For the second time, we appeared on the Inc. 5000 list, with three-year revenue growth of 100%+. In the words of our CEO: “Resilient – that word couldn’t more effectively sum up our team and it’s absolutely how we landed alongside the nation’s most successful companies. I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplishments. We are eyeing our spot on the 2022 list already!”
#8: Having Jonathan on the mic
Our fearless leader, given his time in the theater back in the day, is no stranger to a microphone. And he certainly made his rounds on them this year with appearances on several top podcasts, including Founder Shares, Defiance Ventures and Charlotte Angel Connection. Not ready to put the mic away, he also started a vlog series this year to share what we’re doing to make your - the multifamily community - life easier. His most recent vlog spoke to how many less phone calls you’d need to make to complete a turn thanks to our new customer portal technology. His one prior explained the impact of our Series A funding round.
#9: Launching our new website
With new markets, new technology, new team members and new processes comes the need for a revamped website! Our marketing team worked diligently to craft a site that was easy to follow and navigate - whether you want to turn an apartment, become a pro in our network, learn more about us, stay up to date on multifamily tips and trends or join our team, every bit of Rent Ready information you might need is at your fingertips. Want to stay up to date? Subscribe to our blog.
#10: Heading out West and roaring in the ‘20s
Like many of you, we were ready to see faces (well, more like eyes and cheeks that appear above masks) at trade shows. Lots of companies say they have fun, but we feel like we can 100% say we deliver on that promise, as witnessed by our own CEO dressed in a horse costume at the Triangle Apartment Association Saddle Up trade show. We dealt some good times at the Atlanta Apartment Association Roaring Twenties show as well.
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