79. KeyNest

Founder/s: Florian Hoven and Marc Figueras
Founded: 2017
Website: keynest.com

Listing a property online as a holiday home or rental is a smart way to earn some extra cash. But for those based hundreds of miles away, getting a key to the renter can quickly get complicated. Posting it doesn’t feel safe, and you can’t trust a neighbour to deliver it on time. So what do you do?

Use KeyNest, of course! The London-based startup is developing into the world’s largest key exchange network, partnering with 4,000 stores across the UK to ensure that property handovers run smoothly for the nation’s holidaymakers.

Founded in 2017 by Florian Hoven, KeyNest currently takes care of over 20,000 AirBnb owners, property landlords, estate agencies, and property management companies, giving them the key to success by drastically improving their customer experience.

The London-based startup is developing into the world’s largest key exchange network

How does it work? KeyNext stores the keys to a building in various locations, stores included. Each box is anonymous and requires a code to collect – making it hard to break-in or trace the keys back to the property.

But why is this different from a lock box, or handing the key in person? Unfortunately, lock boxes can be very obvious when strapped to the outside of a house. KeyNest offers renters easy access and property owners just need to provide a code.

KeyNest offers renters easy access and property owners just need to provide a code.

KeyNest was shortlisted for the Financial Times’ Tech Champions of 2022. Our own judges were wowed by its unique value proposition and watertight security system that is also extremely scalable.

With bold aims of having a KeyNest location within three minutes of 95% of UK properties come 2027 – we’re excited to see KeyNest unlock further success this year.