“We are not all equal when it comes to access to bank credit and property. ». It is from this observation that Clara Tairraz and her two partners started before creating I’m sorry. This startup, born in July 2022, has developed a platform to allow people with cash, but difficulty accessing bank loans, to become homeowners. Sezame thus offers to directly acquire goods on behalf of its customers, then offers them real estate leasing. “The idea is to democratize rental-ownership. Our clients rent their property and then make the decision to buy it when they are ready”says the leader.
The conditions for accessing loans have not changed since 1970
Sezame thus plans to open up to a large part of the population. Self-employed workers or business leaders in particular, who find it difficult to justify a fixed remuneration. Because if the face of the job market has changed and the number of self-employed could reach 5 million by 2030, the conditions for access to bank credit would not have changed since the 1970s. real estate prices are skyrocketing and interest rates are also rising. “There are a lot of elements that block access to the property. It’s as if becoming an owner was now reserved for a privileged few.”estimated Clara Tairraz.
A context that has already enabled the platform to bring together 2,500 subscribers. “That’s a pretty clear sign. We have more than a dozen registrants every day., assures the co-founder, who created her company alongside Charles Ruelle and Benjamin Hubert. To support some of these members, Sezame has just announced its first fundraising of one million euros. A round table carried out with Altur Investissement, its main investor, and around fifteen business angels such as the co-founders of Colonies, Guillaume Gozlan (MeilleurTaux / MonaBanq / Axa Banque), Christophe Courtin (Courtin Investment) or Jean -Michel Royo (Credit Mutuel Arkea / Action Logement).
Thanks to these funds, the startup wants to develop its platform and the coaching services associated with it. But also to structure the legal and legal framework of rental-accession and to accelerate commercial development. For this, the company, which does not yet have any employees, hopes to recruit 4 to 5 people by the end of the year. “We will also be able to improve brand awareness and develop an ecosystem of real estate partners, with brokers in particular and other prescribing partners, who will be able to send us the files of people who are solvent but cannot be financed”says the co-founder.
Raise 5 to 10 million euros
But Sezame’s business model requires a substantial cash flow to be able to invest in the goods of its customers. The start-up has therefore created a property company and plans to quickly raise other funds. “We hope to raise 5 to 10 million euros from private and institutional investors willing to invest in residential real estate. But we will also be able to rely on banking partners”, continues the leader. From 2023, the company plans to support around fifty first-time buyers.