oneroof Raises $1.25M to Build Hyper-Local Community Platform

Revitalizing Community Connections in Urban Living

With the resurgence of urban rental markets and a growing return to city life, residents are increasingly encountering new neighbors within communities striving to recapture the vibrancy lost during lockdowns.

OneRoof is developing a social networking platform specifically designed for residential buildings. This differs from platforms like Nextdoor, which focuses on broader geographical areas like ZIP codes or neighborhoods. OneRoof aims to cultivate connections within the more intimate setting of large apartment complexes.

A Focus on Hyper-Local Interaction

“Nextdoor’s reliance on ZIP codes, particularly in cities such as San Francisco or New York, encompasses a vast number of individuals,” explains OneRoof CEO Selin Sonmez in an interview with TechCrunch. “This large pool often lacks the common ground necessary for meaningful engagement.”

Sonmez emphasizes that a smaller, more focused network enhances feelings of safety and encourages communication. She and co-founder Nikos Georgantas envision the app facilitating comfortable interactions between residents – those chance encounters in elevators or hallways – that were significantly hampered by the pandemic.

Seed Funding and Investment

To realize this vision, the company has secured $1.25 million in seed funding. General Catalyst led the round, with participation from Kleiner Perkins’ discovery fund, Dream Machine, Script Capital, Groundbreak Ventures and Urban US.

App Functionality and Design

The app centers around a messaging system, providing a hub similar to Slack for discussing various topics and forming interest-based sub-communities. Importantly, OneRoof is intentionally avoiding extensive partnerships with building management.

Past attempts to establish building-wide message boards have often faltered due to the burden placed on building managers for moderation. OneRoof seeks to empower residents to self-organize.

Onboarding and Growth Strategy

A key component of OneRoof’s strategy involves leveraging “super neighbors” to drive initial adoption within buildings. When a user initiates the process of bringing their building onto the platform, they can request promotional materials.

These materials include fliers sent through the mail, along with a unique code for private app access. Door hangers have also proven to be a successful outreach method, according to Sonmez.

Expansion Plans

Currently, the app is operational in approximately 400 buildings throughout New York City. Plans are underway to expand service to other major metropolitan areas, including Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.