Thirteen Castles provides a venture capital investment and enters a strategic technology partnership with hostU

CHICAGO, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen Castles, a technology focused investment firm, announced today that it has agreed to lead an equity investment and establish a technology partnership to build the second phase of hostU's marketplace. hostU, a medium-term rental platform curated for university students and faculty, was launched out of Northwestern University's Entrepreneurship center, The Garage.

Thirteen Castles' investment enables hostU to accelerate the development of its technology stack and strategically expand its marketplace throughout the United States and Europe. "hostU is in a unique position to create the leading marketplace to address the transitory nature of university students in a more and more connected world," said Thirteen Partners Founder and Managing Partner, Edwin Marcial. "The combination of a visionary founder, an innovative service-orientated approach, and a balanced marketplace of guests and hosts, made it a clear place where we wanted to dedicate our time and resources."

"Adding Edwin as an Advisory Board member and having his team help us develop the next phase of hostU's marketplace and matching algorithm may represent the most important milestones we've achieved as a company," said Bella Le Sage, Founder and CEO of hostU. "Edwin's experience in building the world's most innovative marketplaces, from Intercontinental Exchange (that now owns the New York Stock Exchange) to SnapNurse, will help hostU provide an unparalleled curated, verified, and simplified service for our guests and hosts."

About hostU

hostU (www.joinhostu.com) is a platform that facilitates medium-term shared housing rentals within the university community, connecting students and faculty in need of housing with those looking to sublet their space. A matching algorithm verifies university-affiliation and sends users direct matches based on preferences and needs. Once connected, guests and hosts can communicate and make arrangements through the platform.

About Thirteen Castles

Thirteen Castles is a technology focused investment firm focused on marketplace companies.  Thirteen Castles was founded by Edwin Marcial, the former Chief Technology Officer of Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE). Thirteen Castles' approach is to provide both capital investment and a technology development team experienced in creating the world's best marketplaces. 

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SOURCE hostU