Lymo

Lymo operates as a dual-faceted real estate entity, functioning as both a property developer and a crowdfunding platform. Established in 2013 by co-founders Jean-Baptiste Vayleux, Gilles Roucher, and Damien Truchard, the company was born from a need to secure a €50,000 personal contribution for their first residential project. This led to the idea of sourcing funds from private investors in exchange for a high return. Jean-Baptiste Vayleux, an HEC graduate with prior experience at Unibail-Rodamco, joined his associates, who were already real estate developers, to launch Lymo.

The firm specializes in the development of 'mini-residences,' small-scale residential projects typically containing between 5 and 30 units. This niche focus is a strategic choice, targeting high demand for properties with fewer neighbors and lower co-ownership charges, often avoiding costly amenities like elevators. Lymo's development projects, which have delivered over 700 homes across 55 projects, are concentrated in attractive urban areas, particularly around Toulouse and the Ile-de-France region. The company emphasizes a "soft densification" approach, aiming to integrate new housing into existing urban fabric sustainably by reducing carbon footprints, limiting land use, and improving energy and water management.

The second pillar of Lymo's business is its online crowdfunding platform, Lymo Finance. Initially created to fund its in-house Lymo Home development projects, the platform opened up to third-party developers in 2022. It allows individuals to invest in real estate projects, primarily through debt in the form of bonds, starting from a minimum of €100. These investments typically have a term of 12 to 24 months. The business model generates revenue by charging a commission to the project developers, while investors pay no fees. In November 2023, Lymo Finance was acquired by Walliance, Italy's leading real estate crowdfunding platform, a strategic move to accelerate Walliance's entry into the French market. Following the acquisition, Jean-Baptiste Vayleux was appointed Head of Development for the group's French market.

Keywords: real estate crowdfunding, property development, real estate investment, mini-residences, debt financing, property investment platform, soft densification, residential projects, Toulouse real estate, Paris real estate, Jean-Baptiste Vayleux, Lymo Finance, Lymo Home, participative financing, real estate bonds, property developer, urban revitalization, sustainable construction