Salz&Brot

Salz & Brot Internet GmbH operates as a specialized online portal for rental apartments in the German real estate market. Founded in 2013 by Tim Zimmermann, Christian Schaefer, and David Schärf, the company established its headquarters in Düsseldorf. The firm began with a regional focus on Düsseldorf and has since expanded its services nationwide, positioning itself as a notable alternative to established real estate platforms.

The company's business model targets both tenants and landlords within the residential rental sector. Landlords, including large-scale property holders, housing associations, and property management firms, can list their properties on the platform. For individuals seeking accommodation, the portal provides a comprehensive overview of available listings in their desired city upon registration. Revenue is generated primarily through a premium subscription model. While basic services like listing an apartment or registering as a seeker are free, users can purchase a "Premium-Pass." This subscription offers benefits such as preferential access to new listings and instant notifications for matching properties, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the apartment search.

A key aspect of Salz&Brot's strategy is its focus on a younger, digitally-savvy demographic. This is evidenced by its strong presence on social media and the integration of modern communication channels. A distinct service introduced by the startup allows users to receive new apartment listings directly via WhatsApp, catering to the increasing number of mobile users. In a significant milestone, ImmobilienScout24 acquired a 15% minority stake in the company in December 2015, a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging Salz&Brot's access to its target audience. This collaboration also involved integrating some of ImmobilienScout24's listings and services into the Salz&Brot platform. Subsequently, the Salz&Brot service was discontinued and integrated into ImmoScout24.

Keywords: real estate portal, rental apartments, German property market, PropTech, online marketplace, tenant services, landlord solutions, Düsseldorf startup, ImmobilienScout24, apartment search, residential lettings, property listings, digital real estate, WhatsApp service, premium subscription, Tim Zimmermann, Christian Schaefer, David Schärf