Vendée-based start-up Zelok, a specialist in the residential rental property market, raises €3 million to accelerate its development

Les Sables d’Olonne, 9^th September 2024 – Zelok, a platform for compiling and checking tenants’ files for property professionals, has raised €3 million from Xplore by Épopée Gestion, Calao Finance and Business Angels. The aim is to make its unpaid rent insurance, “Garantie Totale”, and its Pass Zelok Express, new standards in the market. The funds raised will also be used to speed up innovation in the digitisation of the tenant process and the fight against false applications.

Supporting the digital transformation of property professionals and becoming the reflex for finding accommodation more quickly, while providing security for homeowners in the event of non-payment

Founded in 2019, Zelok has helped to accelerate the digital transformation of the rental process thanks to an innovative SaaS platform for compiling and checking applications from prospective tenants. Today, more than 300,000 prospective tenants take advantage of Zelok’s online application system every year to make their housing search easier.

To achieve this, Zelok is developing a new standard: “Pass’Zelok Express”, which uses a unique technology to create a rental file in just 5 minutes. No documents have to be submitted manually, and data is automatically retrieved from impôts.gouv, URSSAF and CAF. The tenant’s identity is verified using biometric recognition, with a simple selfie taken from their phone.

Because it is collected directly at source, the information in the tenant’s file is authentic. Pass’Zelok Express is therefore an excellent tool for combating document fraud.

What’s more, Pass’Zelok Express automatically and immediately assesses a prospective tenant’s creditworthiness: Zelok issues a universal guaranteed agreement, which indicates the amount of monthly rent including charges for which the tenant is eligible. This can be used in any agency. Zelok acts as a trusted third party throughout the rental process!

“The advantage for tenants is that their personal data is much more secure. On Zelok, it’s much more secure than when it passes through an email inbox or onto the desk of a rental advisor” explains Fabrice Houlé, CEO & Founder of Zelok

Modernising unpaid rent insurance

With its « Garantie Totale » unpaid rent insurance, launched in March 2021, it has also turned the industry on its head by offering a service that perfectly meets the needs of private property investors. The promise is simple: to guarantee landlords who rent through a property professional that they will receive their rent every month, come what may, even if the tenant fails to pay. No waiting period in the event of non-payment. Whether the rent is paid in full or in part, the landlord receives payment on a fixed date and no longer must dip into his cash flow. It’s the innovation that the rental market has been lacking, and the one that has enabled it to capture many management mandates.

“By offering unpaid rent insurance that perfectly meets the expectations of rental property owners, Zelok has raised the level of services offered by real estate professionals” explains Fabrice Houlé, CEO & Founder of Zelok.

Barely 3 years after its launch, Zelok already insures 20,000 lots. The target for the end of 2025 is to pass the 35,000 lots insured mark.

The arrival of new investors will enable Zelok to strengthen its product team, to accelerate the automation of tasks for property professionals and to continue its strong commercial development.

Vladimir Bolze, Partner at Épopée Gestion, comments: “We are delighted to be acquiring a stake in Zelok, which has already demonstrated its capacity for innovation in a rapidly changing market. We are convinced that Zelok’s solutions will facilitate access to rental housing for as many people as possible in a tight market”.

 Those involved in the operation : 

About Zelok

Launched in 2019, Zelok is a Vendée-based start-up specialising in digitalising the rental process. With its SaaS platform, it is supporting the digital transformation of property professionals. The aim is to facilitate access to housing and provide security for all those involved, thanks in particular to an innovative technology for checking tenants’ files. In 2021, Zelok’s Garantie Totale unpaid rent insurance has also turned the market on its head. The promise is simple: to guarantee that landlords who rent through a professional will pay 100% of their rent each month.

Press contact: Morane Valleau – morane@zelok.fr

About Xplore

Xplore is the innovation capital brand of Épopée Gestion, the investment company co-founded by Charles Cabillic and Ronan Le Moal in 2020. It brings together all of the management company’s expertise in financing, operational support and acceleration to boost innovation in the regions. Xplore has offices in Brest, Bordeaux, Nantes and Paris, working closely with ecosystems and innovators to help them reach new horizons.

Press contact:  Florence Eckenschwiller – florence@epopeegestion.fr – +33 (0)6 07 66 94 28

 About Widoowin CF

Widoowin CF is a company composed of M&A experts, created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. The team Widoowin CF supports leaders at all steps of the company’s life, whether in development or in a disposal phase. Widoowin CF attaches a great importance to entrepreneurial project et wants to help companies to manage their transition in the best conditions for their clients and for the common good. Its missions require significant resources about information provided by M&A System™, but also in terms of human resources. Its teams of experts are present nearby, in each of its advisory centers, to supports the operations entrusted to them.

Press contact : Benoit Thubert – benoit.thubert@widoowin.com – +33 (0)6 61 75 57 38
Marketing & communications department : marketing@widoowin.fr