Roomvu is an online platform that offers realtors ready-made videos. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Roomvu CEO Sam Mehrbod to learn more about the company.
Sam Mehrbod’s Background
What is Sam Mehrbod’s background? Mehrbod said:
“My journey in real estate and technology has been deeply intertwined. My background in real estate and brokerage has given me firsthand insight into the industry’s specific needs, which inspired me to launch Roomvu.”
Formation Of Roomvu
How did the idea for the company come together? Mehrbod shared:
“The idea for Roomvu stemmed from a fundamental challenge many real estate agents, face: the high cost and complexity of marketing. Many real estate agents and brokers find themselves needing to either hire a full-time marketer, which is costly or outsource to marketing firms unfamiliar with the nuances of the real estate market. Recognizing this, Roomvu was founded to simplify the marketing process, making it more accessible and less intimidating. We developed a solution that allows real estate professionals to easily create and deploy marketing content that is both relevant and localized without the need to deeply understand the intricacies of digital marketing platforms. Roomvu’s tools enable users to focus on their core business by providing a “plug-and-play” approach to marketing that’s tailored to their specific needs.”
Favorite Memory
What has been Mehrbod’s favorite memory working for the company so far? Mehrbod reflected:
“A standout memory was witnessing the first time our technology helped a local agent compete on the same level as major players through enhanced online presence and client engagement. Seeing our platform empower agents and teams to achieve significant success was incredibly fulfilling and reinforced the impact of our mission.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Mehrbod explained:
“Roomvu’s core products revolve around our AI marketing assistant that automates video content creation tailored to real estate agents and their customers. Our most popular features include agent promotional videos and local market update videos that are customizable and scalable across various digital platforms like social media and email marketing campaigns.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Mehrbod and the team faced in building the company? Mehrbod acknowledged:
“With high-interest rates, agents struggle to identify new opportunities. At the same time, real estate brokerages are worried about agent churn. To help solve this challenge, we created a free brokerage-wide social media feature that allows brokerages to recruit new agents and engage with their existing agents by providing social media training and value-added services.”
Evolution Of Roomvu’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Mehrbod noted:
“We have undergone significant evolution to better meet the needs of real estate professionals. Initially modeled like an “Uber for photography,” the service-connected real estate agents with photographers to enhance property listings and marketing materials. However, feedback from agents highlighted the process as too time-consuming due to the complexities of managing and utilizing high-quality visual content. In response, Roomvu shifted from simply producing content to automating both its creation and deployment, allowing for easier integration with agents’ brands and marketing channels.”
“This evolution addressed the agents’ need for streamlined operations by automating the posting of content directly to their social media accounts and other digital platforms, eliminating the hassle of manual management. Such innovations made Roomvu’s platform more accessible and effective for all users, particularly those who are not tech-savvy, by removing significant barriers to digital marketing in real estate. The focus shifted towards reducing friction in marketing processes, empowering agents to enhance their online presence effortlessly, and ensuring they could capitalize on their digital strategies with minimal effort.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Mehrbod cited:
“Some of Roomvu’s most significant milestones include:
1.) Strategic Partnership with:
a.) Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR)
b.) National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB)
c.) Realty One Group Corporate
d.) Exit Realty Corporate
e.) Leading RE
f.) Southland Regional Association of Realtors (SRAR)
2.) Expansion into the U.S. Market: Our U.S. launch was a pivotal move, marking our growth beyond Canada. We established significant partnerships with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Exit Realty and Realty One, which broadened our reach and impact across the U.S. real estate market.
3.) Recognition by the Canadian Innovation Exchange: Being named one of the top 20 most innovative real estate technology companies was a testament to our pioneering solutions and the impact they have on the real estate industry.
Customer Success Stories
Upon asking Mehrbod about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One specific success story involves a small real estate agency, competing against larger brokerages, that was struggling with the cost and complexity of traditional marketing channels. By adopting Roomvu’s automated video marketing tools, the agency was able to significantly increase its online visibility and client engagement. This led to a marked increase in property inquiries and closings. The agency reported a threefold increase in engagement on their listings and credited Roomvu with transforming their approach to marketing and client interaction. This case exemplifies how Roomvu’s solutions are not just about promoting properties but empowering agents and brokers to enhance their overall business performance in a competitive market.”
Funding
When asking Mehrbod about the company’s funding details, he revealed:
“While I can’t disclose specific numbers, To date, we have raised over $1 million in venture capital funding. We’re also a profitable company, focusing on sustainable growth.
Additionally, we have seen a substantial annual growth rate in revenue since our inception, backed by strategic investments from entities like NAR REACH. This funding has allowed us to scale our operations and enhance our technology significantly.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Mehrbod assessed:
“Roomvu is targeting a TAM that includes all real estate professionals in North America who require advanced marketing solutions, estimated to be a multi-billion dollar market. As digital marketing becomes more essential, our TAM is expected to grow, reflecting the increasing demand for innovative marketing solutions.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Mehrbod affirmed:
“What sets Roomvu apart is our focus on real estate-specific marketing solutions, particularly our ability to provide automated, personalized, and content-rich video marketing tools that are easy to use and integrate across multiple platforms. This specialization and our commitment to innovation keep us ahead of generic marketing platforms.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Mehrbod concluded:
“Looking ahead, our priority is to serve the real estate agent community. Our industry is experiencing a once-in-a-generation shift, challenging the real estate business. Our long-term goals include further expansion, developing more integrated AI features for predictive marketing analytics, and continuing to forge strategic partnerships that can enhance the scope and effectiveness of our solutions.”
