Anyplace – an online marketplace offering extended stays without long-term commitment – has recently announced its expansion into APAC, through partnerships with lyf (Singapore) and Outpost (Indonesia, Bali).
Co-founder and CEO, Satoru ‘Steve’ Naito created Anyplace to address the growing demand for flexible accommodation as the modern workforce goes digital and more individuals choose to work remotely.
It is designed to offer digital nomads with stable accommodation, without the commitment of a long-term lease (or costly hotel rates). To provide this, Anyplace establishes partnerships with co-living spaces, hotels, villas and furnished apartments, which customers can book on a month-to-month basis.
Founded in 2017, Anyplace has grown to a team of 18 people, raised US$2.8m in funding and expanded to 47 cities in 15 countries – partnering with 400 properties. It has approximately 6000 registered users and has accommodated over 700 people thus far. In 2018, it raked in US$1.3m and hopes to raise its revenue following its continued expansion. It monetises by taking 10% commission from every booking.
“[The digital nomad] lifestyle is becoming a trend and I believe it will be more common within [the] decade,” said Naito. He predicts that APAC will be one of Anyplace’s largest markets because of the region’s popularity amongst digital nomads, for its cultural diversity and affordable living costs.
Anyplace is prioritising popular destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines for its growth in the region. “We have already partnered with a property in Malaysia, which will be available on our platform soon. Thailand will become available soon as well.”
The “next milestone” will be marketing to Asia’s digital nomad community, explained Naito. The platform is currently only available in English language and payments are still limited to US dollars, which may not be as convenient for Asia-based customers.
Before APAC, Anyplace was primarily offering properties within the USA, and dealing with a largely American customer base. It launched in Europe in Q4 last year.
Its expansion strategy is to continue building partnerships with providers to accommodate its consumer base. “We have already introduced customers to those markets, but we need more supply to fill the huge customer demand,” Naito explained.
While the benefit to digital nomads is clear – secure, affordable and varied accommodation options worldwide – there are plenty of advantages for suppliers too, explained Naito.
“[On] the property side, there is no strong extended stay channel to acquire US customers… We can introduce US-based customers to our property partners [in APAC] because we have already built a strong customer base.”
Anyplace also provides background checks on all customers, to provide an extra layer of security for property partners. “In the USA [for example], people who stay in hotels for over 30 days become tenants, making them harder to evict… so we provide eviction protection insurance.”
Long-term, Anyplace also wants to expand its marketplace role by launching its Anyplace Loyalty Program, Lifestyle Perks, and Community this year.
Anyplace Community is intended to encourage customers to interact with each other, by asking questions, sourcing recommendations and creating connections in different places.
The loyalty program allows customers to earn ‘coins’ (points) for every booking or extended stay, as well as if they leave reviews or contribute to the ‘Community’ by answering questions left by other members. The coins allow customers to claim discounts and rewards.
And Anyplace Lifestyle Perks grants community members with discounts and special offers on local services e.g. food delivery, gym access, laundry facilities, storage, transportation, and co-working spaces, to make their transition into any new place smoother and more comfortable. “We’re not a housing business, we’re a freedom business,” said Naito.
“Our goal is to make a world in which people can live any place… We aim to build a strong lifestyle product that enables people to more easily subscribe to a freedom lifestyle by helping them with accommodation, services and community.”
Lead image: Getty Images
