Technology has had a huge impact on the real estate industry over the past decade, with companies like Zillow and Redfin leading the charge. Now another startup is throwing its hat into the ring.
ClientLinkt, a Canadian startup, builds custom apps for real estate agents that provides resources and discounts for their clients. The app helps homebuyers access information they need and makes it easy to recommend the agent to other prospective clients.
The company was founded in 2014 by Jay Maharaj, who owned a mortgage brokerage at the time, and Dale Lemke, a long-time tech entrepreneur. ClientLinkt is currently moving through the 9Mile Labs accelerator in Seattle.
We caught up with Maharaj for this Startup Spotlight, a regular GeekWire feature.
Explain what you do so our parents can understand it: “Through ClientLinkt, real estate agents launch their own custom branded smartphone app that helps clients with initial home-ownership uncertainties. While the client benefits from advice, service provider connections and discounts, the app promotes them to share, recommend, and refer their agent. We’re already working with 20,000 agents in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.”
Inspiration hit us when: “Real estate agents work hard during transactions in hopes their clients recognize this effort and come back, or better yet tell friends and family. Post-transactions, we felt there needed to be a better way than just hope, emails and Christmas cards to get clients sharing, referring and coming back.”
VC, Angel or Bootstrap: “We’ve self-funded and received a small seed investment. We wanted to build traction and metrics before we explored additional financing.”
Our ‘secret sauce’ is: “Through the app, we monitor usage habits and automatically trigger homeowners to share their agent on social media, send referrals and writing positive reviews. We drive the growth activities the agents need to be successful (and all too often struggle to ask for).”
Would you rather have Gates, Zuckerberg or Bezos in your corner? “I’d say Bill Gates — we’re solving existing business problems with tech and this seems to be in his domain.”
The smartest move we’ve made so far: “Spending tons of time talking to customers. By talking to them and monitoring usage habits, we’ve been able to build technology they love. We’re already working with over 20,000 agents and seeing awesome usage metrics.”
The biggest mistake we’ve made so far: “HR is a tough one. We’ve learned to hire only people passionate about their work.”
Our favorite team-building activity is: “We’ll usually knock off early one afternoon a month and just hang out. It gives everyone a chance to unwind and catch up.”
The biggest thing we look for when hiring is: “Passion. There’s nothing better than finding someone for a role that they love … everyone benefits.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other entrepreneurs just starting out: “Talk to as many customers as you can before you write any code. It saves you from pivoting later and reduces the tech debt you’ll pay.”
Editor’s note: GeekWire is featuring each of the companies participating in the 9Mile Labs incubator fall cohort.
