Greg Marsh and Tim Davey: onefinestay

Greg Marsh and Tim Davey, 33 and 25
Company: onefinestay
Web: www.onefinestay.com

The concept is getting investors excited. Since its launch in 2010, onefinestay has raised a total of $16m. In June 2012, the company secured $12m in a funding round led by Canaan Partners – a deal also involving existing investors Index Ventures and PROfounders Capital. Why the enthusiasm? onefinestay’s  model allows people to let out their homes to travellers seeking a ‘more authentic local experience’ – but without skimping on the luxury.

Each of the 600 homes listed on the site has been curated by the team for unique character and exceptional quality and guests can expect to receive hotel-style services which even include an iPhone and 24/7 support from the dedicated guest services team. Flush from its success in London, onefinestay New York launched in May 2012, the first step in the co-founders’ wider ambitions for international expansion.

2017 update:

In 2016, Onefinestay was acquired by French Hotel Group AccorHotels for £117m, with a further £50m made available for international expansion. The company has plans to roll out its service to 40 new cities around the world by 2021.

On the back of this success, Marsh and Davey were justly crowned Golden Guns at the Young Guns 2017 awards – a title granted to any alumni business that has achieved exceptional things.