Ruralis

About the offering

The short-term rental boom has left rural areas behind The global short-term rental market is valued at $134.51 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $257.08 billion by 2030 (CAGR of 11.4%). While this booming industry presents major opportunities, rural property owners remain significantly underserved. Unlike urban hosts, who benefit from powerful digital tools and professional property managers, millions of rural owners lack the technological support and expertise to effectively maximize their rentals. This problem is particularly evident in Italy and in the U.S., where the demand for ruralis vacation rentals has surged post-Covid, yet property owners struggle to compete with well-managed urban listings. Ruralis: Unlocking the potential of the rural market The vacation rental market is divided between: (1) full-service property managers, which fail to effectively leverage digital strategies, rely on costly operations that reduce owner profits, and often lead to a lower-quality, less authentic guest experience; and (2) digital solutions that primarily serve urban markets or fragmented tools that manage only bookings, pricing, or payments separately - forcing property owners to juggle multiple systems. Born in a rural village of 3,000 inhabitants, Ruralis has leveraged its roots to develop the first all-in-one digital solution tailored for the rural market. The primary challenge we solve is optimizing the online strategy for rural properties, helping owners enhance the quality and increase the market value of their listings. By focusing exclusively on digital solutions, we leave cleaning, maintenance, and on-site operations in the hands of owners, ensuring a more authentic high-quality guest stay. Our Product: A platform for simple and profitable rural vacation rentals A fast-growing, revenue-generating PropTech Ruralis has proven its business model in Italy, helping property owners maximize income while simplifying rental management. How we make money Customers Love Ruralis Thanks to our high-quality customer experience that delivers real value to owners, Ruralis maintains a strong customer retention rate. To date, our average quarterly retention rate is 88%, reinforced by consistently positive user reviews. Ruralis team Ruralis is driven by a passionate and diverse team, dedicated to revolutionizing rural vacation rentals. We foster a remote working environment where transparency and entrepreneurship thrive. Guided by our mission to optimize vacation rental management and our vision of empowering small towns for a more sustainable future, we stay deeply connected to the communities we serve. The market In 2024, the U.S. short-term rental market was valued at $68.64 billion, with Italy at $5.82 billion. Despite a $74.46 billion market across the U.S. and Italy, rural property owners remain underserved, lacking the technology and support needed to compete with urban listings. Demand indicates that rural vacation rentals are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments, with key trends highlighting a shift toward non-urban stays. Competition Use of Funds We are raising $1M to take our first step into the high-demand U.S. rural vacation rental market. With strong traction, a $74.46B market opportunity, and a proven AI-powered platform, this funding will help us accelerate expansion, and establish Ruralis as the leading PropTech solution for rural short-term rentals. US market entry Based on demand trends, regulatory landscape, and revenue potential, we are prioritizing five key states for our U.S. expansion. Why these states? Short-term rental market - These states offer premium nightly rates and consistently high occupancy levels, with established vacation rental cultures. Market trends - High demand for countryside stays, driven by digital nomads, and outdoor enthusiasts. Proximity to major metropolitan areas such as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., further fuel interest. Rural Tourism Growth - These areas benefit from a mix of tourism attractions, emerging eco-tourism, and wine tourism industries. Some regions have seen rural Airbnb listings grow by over 30-40% in recent years. Strategic networks - Strong Italian-American communities and business networks can support with local partnerships and facilitate market entry. Regulatory environment - Compared to stricter urban short-term rental regulations, these regions offer a more stable and business-friendly legislative framework, ensuring long-term scalability. Italian Market Consolidation Ruralis aims to solidify its position as the leading platform for rural vacation rentals in Italy. Our growth strategy focuses on strategic investments in Marketing, Sales, and Product. A mix of organic social media, PR, and selective paid advertising will boost brand awareness and drive acquisition. Additionally, we are enhancing brand retention through platform upgrades, new service offerings (e.g., insurance), and targeted initiatives (e.g., referral programs). Support & investor interest In 2023, Ruralis raised $530K from 88 investors, including $260K from a U.S. investor who recognized our vision and the vast untapped potential of the rural vacation rental market. Also Lifegate Way, a sustainability-focused startup ecosystem, has expressed interest in purchasing shares on the secondary market. Additionally, two publicly traded companies, an Italian S.P.A. and a Swiss firm, have shown informal acquisition interest, signaling early recognition of Ruralis' value and scalability. Ruralis is also backed by actor and martial artist Taimak Guarriello from “The Last Dragon”, who is helping amplify brand visibility and expand market reach. Social impact Rural areas face severe depopulation, leading to economic and social difficulties as well as inequalities. Ruralis is committed to revitalizing rural communities, strengthening local businesses, and fostering sustainable growth. Tourists also benefit from these stays, characterized by clean air, tranquility, and well-being. On social media, Ruralis raises awareness about challenges in rural areas, shifting the focus away from purely commercial messaging. The company also actively contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and plays a key role in European policy-making, collaborating with the EU CAP Network. Get your shares in a fast-scaling Italian company pursuing global expansion. Ruralis is addressing key challenges for rural property owners, unlocking real value in this underserved market. With strong traction and bold ambition, we are positioned to drive the future of rural vacation rentals worldwide. The provided revenue and market data were originally calculated in euros and have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1€ = $1.04. For other questions, please check out Wefunder's FAQs for international investors or contact support@wefunder.com

FAQ