Jurny, AI automation for Airbnb Management

We’re excited to have back Luca Zambello, CEO of Jurny to join us for a Sunday Q&A. They are a company we continue to be impressed by in the STR space. It seems like every time we speak they are breaking down revenue and growth goals and doubling / tripling their numbers. 

We wanted to find out how they are doing it, the efficiencies they are driving for customers with AI, what’s in store for the rest of 2024, and a general discussion about the world of Airbnb.

Full Disclosure: Alex at The Offer Sheet holds an investment in Jurny, having recently invested. 

Let’s GO!!

Luca - great to have you back with us. How has growth been since we last spoke and what’s been keeping you busy lately? 

It’s great to be back, thank you! I’m happy to share that our growth has been outstanding since we last caught up. We’ve been dedicated to expanding our operations while maintaining the standards and efficiency that define Jurny.

A significant amount of effort has gone into enhancing our AI-powered automation tools. The team is consistently improving the platform to provide added benefits to our users. Our aim is always to streamline their management tasks, making them quicker, simpler, and ultimately more lucrative.

Additionally, we are moving ahead with some new product features and partnerships that I look forward to discussing with you in the near future.

Can you give some insight into your growth numbers so far in 2024 and where you’re projecting to end the year?

Happy to! So far, 2024 has been another record-breaking year for Jurny. We’ve seen 200% year-over-year growth and are on track for 300% growth in both our core SaaS revenue and user acquisition. These numbers truly reflect the growing demand for our platform’s automation tools and AI-driven features. Our customers also value the convenience of having key functionality consolidated into one user-friendly system, providing a single interface that integrates smoothly with major third-party solutions such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Expedia, Price Labs, Wheelhouse, Autohost, and more.

Looking forward, our projections for the remainder of the year are quite strong. We're gearing up to introduce new products and venture into fresh markets. If everything unfolds as expected, we'll not only surpass our original targets but also set a strong groundwork for even greater success in 2025.

With all that user growth, I’m sure you’ve heard quite a bit of feedback from users on how much time and money they are saving using Jurny’s tools and platform. Any you could share?

The response we’ve received from our users has far exceeded our expectations at this point. It’s rewarding to hear how much Jurny positively impacts their daily operations. Many hosts have shared with us that they’ve reduced their day-to-day management workload by 50-60%, thanks to our automation tools. That’s a game-changer, especially considering the average full-time Airbnb host devotes over 12 hours per week to managing each listing. With 7.7 million units on Airbnb alone, this could translate to potential savings of over $112 billion annually for the STR industry alone. That’s time and money our customers can now redirect towards other priorities or expanding their property portfolios.

On the financial side, users are seeing a 20-30% increase in revenue. This is due largely to our dynamic pricing system, which integrates seamlessly, helping them manage multiple properties more efficiently. Moreover, our AI assistant, Nia, has significantly improved response times to guest inquiries - from an industry average of 1 hour down to under 1 minute. Nia also automates and personalizes review responses, while our Listing Optimizer helps hosts enhance their listings and boost their rankings on platforms like Airbnb. These features together make a huge difference for hosts. 

As further validation that we are on the right track, Jurny recently joined the top 1% of U.S. companies for customer satisfaction, with an NPS score that rivals brands like Netflix, PayPal, and Amazon.

Along the same lines, is the simple goal of your platform to have all aspects of Airbnb management literally in one place?

Yes, that’s exactly what we aim to achieve. Our goal is to bring every aspect of Airbnb and STR management under one roof. Jurny is built to automate and streamline everything - from guest communication and booking management to cleaning schedules, maintenance requests, and dynamic pricing. Hosts shouldn’t have to juggle multiple tools or platforms to run their business. With Jurny, everything is in one place, making it easier for hosts to manage their properties efficiently and scale their operations without the usual headaches.

However, being "all-in-one" doesn’t mean we try to do everything independently. Instead, we deeply integrate with the best-in-class solutions, allowing users to seamlessly access their features directly within our platform. Most importantly, our systems are designed to communicate smoothly with each other, reducing connectivity problems - something that’s unfortunately all too common in this industry. Some of our integration partners include Turno, Wheelhouse, Price Labs, Stripe, Zapier, AutoHost, Rentals United, various smart lock brands, IoT devices, and dozens of other solutions.

What are some exciting new product features you guys are working on for the rest of 2024?

We have some exciting developments in store for the remainder of 2024. Along with ongoing projects like continuously enhancing our core platform, integration quality, and functionalities, we're particularly excited about two major upcoming releases.

First, we're launching a state-of-the-art reporting system developed in close collaboration with several hosts. Together, we’ve created one of the most comprehensive reporting tools in the industry - something they couldn’t find anywhere else, and we are incredibly excited about it.

However, the release that excites us the most is AI-related. We're introducing a new set of AI-powered features known as Nia Multi-agents 2.0, designed to handle more complex guest interactions and give hosts even deeper insights into their operations. This includes improved automated guest messaging, personalized pricing recommendations, and predictive analytics to help hosts anticipate market trends.

Furthermore, hosts will have the ability to create, escalate, and implement tasks or processes with full customization. They can tailor these AI agents to specific properties or groups of units, whether it’s a single building or an individual unit. This level of precision and customization represents a massive step forward for our industry and AI adoption.

While AI is often talked about, we haven’t yet seen truly transformative solutions in our field. However, I believe 2025 will be the year that changes, and we couldn’t be more excited to lead that shift.

I’m sure you have strong opinions on how AI will continue to change the STR / Airbnb space. What do you think and how will Jurny fit into that evolution?

AI is going to be a game-changer for the STR and Airbnb space, and we’re only beginning to tap into its potential. AI will drive the next big wave of innovation in this industry by automating complex tasks, customizing guest experiences, and optimizing property management in previously unimaginable ways.

At Jurny, we’ve positioned ourselves as pioneers in this shift because we saw it coming well before the rest of the industry - about two years ahead of the curve. We built our platform from the ground up with AI in mind, a differentiator that may seem small now but will be incredibly impactful in the near future. 

Can The Offer Sheet subscribers still invest today? Any perks for our readers? How much longer does this round last?

Thank you for asking! Yes, The Offer Sheet subscribers can still invest in Jurny. We’re currently in private mode, but your subscribers have 48 hours left to lock in early-bird terms, including a 25% discount on their investment. 

The window is closing fast, as interest has been strong, so I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to visit our campaign page for more information: https://wefunder.com/jurny/

OK, let’s shift a bit to the Airbnb industry broadly. Any space that’s seeing a lot of growth, you’ll typically have the naysayers always playing devil’s advocate and sounding the death knell. 

Absolutely; every time the industry goes through periods of growth, skeptics question its long-term viability. Nevertheless, the truth is that the hospitality sector is evolving rapidly, with STRs playing a big role in that shift. While some may point out obstacles like regulatory issues or market saturation, the demand for unique, flexible, personalized travel experiences continues to increase.

The pandemic fundamentally altered how people approach travel, revealing that STRs are both resilient and adaptable. As more individuals embrace remote work and opt for longer stays, the industry is headed for even more growth. The key lies in innovation - those who leverage technology will be the ones to succeed. Despite challenges, I firmly believe that STRs are here to stay and will remain a driving force in shaping the future of hospitality.

You’re projecting that the hospitality market will more than double from $4.1 Trillion to $9.9 Trillion by 2028. What’s behind those projections?

The projection that the hospitality market will grow from $4.1 trillion to $9.9 trillion by 2028 is based on several key factors. Technological advancements, especially in booking services, have transformed the sector by making travel arrangements easier and more accessible than ever before. The shift towards online and mobile platforms enables consumers to book everything from flights to accommodations with just a few clicks, leading to higher demand for these services. Furthermore, the rise of digital transactions and the integration of IoT devices in hospitality improve customer satisfaction, making the industry more efficient and attractive to a wider audience. These innovations, along with the growing influence of social media in promoting unique travel experiences, are driving the market's rapid expansion.

Additionally, the pandemic has fundamentally altered people’s perception of travel, with a growing preference for flexible, personalized experiences that STRs can offer. As more individuals embrace remote work and extended stays, there is expected to be a surge in demand for unique hospitality offerings. This, combined with the industry's ability to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences, supports the growth projections. The convergence of these factors is why significant market expansion is anticipated in the coming years.