05: Sales pitch that defined my career
Imagine moving into a condo, excited to meet your neighbours and settle into a community—only to find the hallways empty and a revolving door of strangers. That’s the reality in many buildings where landlords have bought up multiple units to rent out on home-sharing platforms like Airbnb, turning once-vibrant condo spaces into "ghost hotels." It’s a growing problem, and it’s changing the way people live in cities.
With very few available places to rent or live and rising prices due to high demand, cities are limiting short-term rentals to the landlords' primary residences to address the housing shortage. This leaves landlords worried about losing access to short-term rental income. But what if the problems home-sharing created could be solved through home-sharing? Kopa was created to find the answer. We believed what was once a two-sided market between landlords and short-term guests is now evolving into a three-sided one, where long-term tenants are essential for everyone to benefit from home-sharing revenue.
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Kopa is a venture that aims to help Airbnb fulfill its original mission: provide people with the means to offset travel or living costs, and foster a sense of community.
At Highline Beta, I worked with a major property developer to test an idea to improve condo living and make housing more affordable in big cities. I helped design, sell and pilot a three-sided marketplace with early adopters.
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‘Kopa Marketplace’ for long-term renters.
‘Kopa Concierge’ for short-term rental guests.
'Kopa Portal' for property management and condo board directors.
'Kopa Portal' for condo residents.