Wimdu secures investment of $90 million from Kinnevik and Rocket Internet

• In the past 100 days, Wimdu has become the world’s second largest community marketplace for private spaces.

• More than 10,000 unique apartments in over 150 cities around the world, and a team of 400 employees working in 15 offices worldwide.

Berlin, June 15th 2011 - Rocket Internet and Kinnevik have invested $90 million in Wimdu following their prior success with companies such as Groupon/City Deal and Zalando. Wimdu is a new social marketplace that pairs adventurous and discriminating globetrotters with unique properties and interesting hosts to create extraordinary travel experiences. The website allows anyone to list, find and book private spaces on any budget. Properties may range from a budget-conscious room for rent in New York to a luxurious penthouse in Paris or a sailboat in Seattle. The rapidly-expanding company, which emphasizes traveling like a local, is a fresh alternative to existing competitors.

Wimdu’s website www.wimdu.com currently features over 10,000 private accommodations in more than 50 countries. The company has grown quickly to expand its global reach and outpace competition-its 300 properties in Sydney are just one example. The open platform allows anyone to list their space for free, be it a room, an apartment or a house, and invite travelers from around the world to come stay with them. Wimdu manages the booking and payment processes online, making it easy for guests to design their travel experiences and efficient for hosts to manage reservations. The benefits are many; hosts can earn extra cash while providing travelers with a unique perspective on their hometown. Individual spaces and valuable insider tips allow travelers to experience their destination like a local – hence the slogan “Travel like a local”.

Rocket Internet and Kinnevik are known for having invested in a considerable number of successful internet companies, such as Groupon/City Deal and Zalando. “We are pleased to be working with some of the most renowned European investors,” says Wimdu’s Global CEO and co-founder, Arne Bleckwenn. “This collaboration allows us to make use of a worldwide network and to draw on country-specific expertise, thereby propelling our business towards success,” adds Russell Goldman, head of US operations.