Flatfox

Flatfox AG operates as a digital real estate platform in the Swiss property market, aiming to streamline the rental process for all participants. Founded in 2012 by former colleagues Bernhard Mäder, Mattia Regi, Silvan Spross, and Fabian Stutz, the company was born from their idea of creating a property platform by tenants, for tenants. The founders leveraged their diverse backgrounds—in IT, economics, and quantitative finance—from their time working together at Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) to build the platform. Initially a side project, the venture gained momentum, leading to professionalization in 2014 and attracting investments from notable firms like SwissLife, Helvetia, and Ringier Digital Ventures.

The company provides an end-to-end digital solution that serves apartment seekers, private landlords, and professional real estate managers. For tenants and apartment seekers, Flatfox offers a marketplace for residential properties, including apartments, houses, and shared rooms, with functionalities like personalized search subscriptions and direct chat with advertisers. For real estate professionals, the platform digitizes the entire rental cycle, from listing properties and managing viewings to handling tenant applications and communication. This digital approach helps automate routine tasks and centralizes communication, reducing administrative workload. The business model for its professional clients involves different subscription packages, such as 'Professional' and 'Enterprise,' where costs are primarily based on tenant changes rather than the size of the real estate portfolio.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by the insurance company La Mobilière in April 2021, which aimed to expand La Mobilière's housing-related services. The founders and team remained with the company following this acquisition. Subsequently, in December 2023, SMG Swiss Marketplace Group, which operates major portals like ImmoScout24 and Homegate, acquired a majority stake from La Mobilière. This integration into SMG's real estate ecosystem is intended to further drive the digitalization of the Swiss property market, with La Mobilière retaining a minority share.

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