Cherchemonnid

Cherchemonnid operates as a digital platform in the French real estate market, functioning on a reverse search model that connects property seekers with real estate professionals. The company was established in 2015 by Antoine Huvé, a former real estate agent from Normandy. Huvé's experience in his family's real estate agency in Deauville exposed him to the inefficiencies of the property search process for both buyers and agents. This insight led to the creation of a platform designed to streamline the connection between qualified buyers and local real estate professionals, including agents, notaries, and property managers.

The platform's core service allows prospective buyers and renters to submit a detailed and centralized search request with their specific criteria. Cherchemonnid then distributes this qualified project information to all relevant real estate professionals within the specified geographic area. This approach gives users potential access to off-market properties before they are publicly listed. For individuals, the service is free to use, saving them time by eliminating the need to contact multiple agencies. For professionals, the platform serves as a source of qualified client leads. The business model has evolved over time. Initially free, it transitioned to a freemium model and, as of early 2021, operates primarily on a success-fee basis for professionals who access leads for buyer-sellers. This performance-based revenue model means the company earns a fee when a professional successfully closes a deal originating from a lead on the platform.

Since its inception, Cherchemonnid has secured several rounds of funding to fuel its growth. It raised €600,000 in 2016, €1.16 million in July 2017, and another €1.16 million in late 2019 from investors including Normandie Participations, Bpifrance, and Crédit Agricole Normandie. These funds were allocated to enhancing the platform, increasing marketing efforts, and expanding the team. By early 2023, the platform was acquired by START IT, a subsidiary of the international group ICE, with the aim of further developing its activities and providing high-quality leads to real estate professionals.

Keywords: real estate platform, PropTech, reverse property search, qualified real estate leads, Antoine Huvé, property matchmaking, real estate lead generation, French property market, real estate professionals, buyer-seller leads, off-market properties, for sale by owner, property search service, real estate technology, real estate agent tools, rental search, home buying, Normandy startups, real estate success fees, client acquisition for real estate