Kindred raises $125M to bring home swapping into the travel mainstream
What’s the deal? Kindred, a home-swapping startup, has raised $125 million across two funding rounds as it pushes its model further into the travel mainstream.
The funding includes a previously unannounced $40 million Series B co-led by NEA and Dylan FieldDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Figma, alongside a fresh $85 million Series C led by Index Ventures.
The company allows members to swap homes rather than book hotels, aiming to lower accommodation costs while offering more space and flexibility. Kindred said the capital will be used to expand its network, improve the product, and scale internationally.
Why now? Demand for alternative travel options has grown as travellers look to cut costs and avoid crowded destinations.
Kindred says usage has increased as remote work and longer stays make home swapping more practical for a wider audience.
The company is also benefiting from a broader shift toward asset-light travel platforms that emphasise access over ownership. That has helped home swapping move from a niche idea toward a more mainstream option.
What could go wrong? Scaling a two-sided marketplace depends on maintaining trust, supply, and quality at the same time. Any breakdown in safety standards, host behaviour, or customer experience could slow adoption.
Competition is also intensifying, with other home exchange platforms and short-term rental players improving their offerings. Sustaining growth may require continued spending on incentives, support, and insurance.
The signal: Kindred’s funding shows investors warming again to consumer travel platforms with differentiated models. It also highlights renewed appetite for companies that promise structural savings for users, rather than incremental convenience.
As travel costs remain elevated, platforms that reimagine how people stay — rather than where they go — may attract both customers and capital.
Sources:
Forbes
Kindred's LinkedIn post
PR Newswire
Marketscreener
Morningstar
J.V.
