OpenUnit builds the online front-end and payment-processing infrastructure for independent self-storage facilities, taking a cut of payments rather than charging monthly subscriptions to owners. The product includes website storefronts, payment processing, and backend management tools designed to replicate in-person customer experiences online. The company acquired the IP of YC batchmate Affiga to add automated customer insights after transactions. OpenUnit has expanded into locations across the U.S. and Canada and reports a waitlist of over 800 facilities. The team has grown from the two co-founders to five employees and is continuing to hire. Future plans include converting the waitlist into customers and potentially offering loans to facilities using OpenUnit’s data to underwrite and guide renovations or expansions. OpenUnit builds management software and payments solutions for self-storage facilities. The company provides facilities with tools to manage transactions, connect teams, and power customer experience. Its revenue primarily comes from payment processing fees via OpenUnit Payments, a fully integrated merchant solution that accepts credit cards at competitive rates and includes a mobile point-of-sale for in-person payments. With $150K in pre-seed capital from Y Combinator, OpenUnit plans to launch its management software and payments offerings. It also intends to expand services directly through a marketplace that lists self-storage units. OpenUnit is co-founded by Taylor Cooney and Lucas Playford and participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2020 batch, receiving mentorship in California.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

May 2021