Estonian investment firm Taavet+Sten participated in a round of Finnish prop-tech startup Bob W

Taavet+Sten, the investment firm of Wise’s co-founder Taavet Hinrikus and Teleport’s co-founder Sten Tamkivi, has participated in Series B of Helsinki-based real estate startup Bob W. The lead investor in the €40M round was Helsinki-based VC Evli Growth Partners. UK-based VC with Russian roots Flashpoint, Finnish entrepreneur and Supercell’s co-founder Mikko Kodisoja, and some existing investors also joined the deal.

Founded in Helsinki in 2018 by entrepreneurs Niko Karstikko from Finland and Sebastian Emberger from Estonia, Bob W is a marketplace for renting apartments for short periods. Apartments typically come with a fully equipped kitchen, 24/7 digital support, regular professional cleaning, and a pass to local gyms. Bob W offers customer service mainly through chats. For instance, early check-in and late check-out can be booked instantly, in case of availability. In addition, guests can find local breakfast spots, gyms, and other facilities on the Bob W’s marketplace. According to the company, it works with local brands, artists, and manufacturers to find décor in the same neighborhood, in which the property is.

Apartments are available in 17 cities, including Tallinn, Tartu, Helsinki, Turku, Madrid, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Florence, and Oslo. In 2022, Bob W acquired Estonia’s short-stay serviced apartment operator, Estonishing Stay Apartments. The startup has an employee share ownership program - ESOP, which allows them to buy shares in the company at a set price on a set date. 

Bob W will use the investment to develop its technology, recruit more talent, and expand to new European cities.

Based in Tallinn, Taavet+Sten is an investment partnership between Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi. According to the company, it is an “evergreen” firm, not backed by any LPs. It leads early-stage tech deals with venture fund Plural, founded by Sten Tamkivi, Taavet Hinrikus, Ian Hogarth, and Khaled Helioui.