# washbnb techstars update #1: August 9, 2021 | washbnb

- Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/feed/147702
- Entity ID: wefunder:feed_item:147702
- Published at: 2021-08-16 13:48:28 UTC
- Updated at: 2025-07-09 03:20:42 UTC

## Author
Daniel Cruz

## Subject
washbnb

## Content
washbnb automates luxury linens as a service for hotels, Airbnb hosts, and other accommodations providers. It's linen rental, last mile logistics, and laundry included in one simple and sustainable service that upgrades the experience for guests while eliminating laundry for managers.Just like that the first trimester of techstars, including Mentor Madness, are behind us. Relocating to Atlanta and diving straight into 80+ mentor meetings has certainly been a whirlwind but we're here for it and loving every second so far.🎙️ Announcementswashbnb market #2 will be Atlanta, Georgia: The energy here is electric and reminds me of my time in San Francisco from 2008 - 2015 when startups, real estate, and just about everything caught fire. Atlanta is a fantastic market for both hotels and short-term rentals and we're crazy excited to make it our 2nd home.Podcasts Galore - including a new show I'll be co-hostingSlick Talk - For Host by Host (this is the washbnb and Daniel Cruz origin story)Slick Talk - Bonus Episode & washbnb update from techstarsWe Are Here - Episode 1 of new show that Wil Slickers and I are cohosting. We'll be checking in weekly with techstars founders in the short term rental industry for their raw stories on entrepreneurship.The Accommodation Show w/ Bart Sobies - Setting up a start-up in the STR & Airbnb SpaceSome amazing press also:Wisconsin Inno - First Milwaukee startup selected for prestigious national accelerator that comes with $120,000BizTimes (paywalled) - washbnbs techstars ties a boon for Milwaukee startup ecosystem https://biztimes.com/washbnbs-techstars-ties-a-boon-for-milwaukee-startup-ecosystem/🙏 AsksFundraisingPlease visit our Equity Crowdfunding page on Wefunder! Growing to Atlanta means we're taking on new costs before our revenue has a chance to get caught. We'll be making updates to the campaign this week and outlaying some new strategies. We'll likely be closing the campaign in August or September so we'll hope you'll join us at this seed stage valuation and share to your network!I'm happy to take calls related to our fundraising: Book time with me hereAtlanta - needs to open new marketIntroductions to Short Term Rental operators, Airbnb hosts, managers/owners of hotels with less than 200 rooms in the metro Atlanta AreaFlexible warehouse space between 1k-2k square feet ideally located near PCM/midtown. We need a place for box trucks to park and unload and access for large laundry carts to roll in-n-outIndustrial laundry facilities that specialize in hospitality linensBox Truck or Sprinter Van, purchase or lease👥 TeamI'm incredibly proud and honored to announce that three amazing professionals have agreed to join washbnb's management team full time. They tell me I talk/write too much so here's a quick bite from each on what they're excited about here at washbnb!Alpha Jalloh: "Hi, I'm Alpha your Client Advocate at washbnb. I have always had a social environmental conscious. My MBA thesis was written about the potential for environmental taxes and trade-able permits. Working at washbnb has given me the opportunity to connect my passion with my capabilities."Mairin Jerse: "Hello - I'm Mairin. I recently joined washbnb as a product manager! I'm most excited about the unique problem that washbnb has identified and the solution they've built. With a background in product management, I love washbnb's obsession with customer success and focus on sustainability, and I'm excited to help the team develop and execute on a strong product roadmap."Tim Koninckx: "Hi, I’m Tim! I’m from Belgium and have over 5 years experience in hospitality supply sales. When I’m not working, you can find me on a plane or in a restaurant. Or, just in the kitchen trying out things for myself. I really enjoy working with washbnb because they are shaking up and industry and revolutionize the way people operate their short term rentals.Way back in January we declared our Core Values: Hospitality, Quality, Sustainability, Diversity, Perseverance. These three embody, live, and breathe these values not just in their work but in their daily lives. Please join me in welcoming them to washbnb and getting to know them!🏆 AchievementsWe're finalist for the 2021 Wisconsin Innovation AwardsJune was our first month with revenue above $10K!!!We've been invited to pitch at the VRMA International Show in San Antonio on October 5th as part of the Phocuswright BattlegroundSpeaking of Phocuswright, they highlighted us on their Startup Stage back in May🏋 ChallengesTime management & communications: I'm failing at email and certain messaging threads from social media. I'm really sorry but I can't promise it's going to get better anytime. Keep trying, I promise I won't get annoyed!Procurement has been a consistent challenge due to global supply chain issues and wild swings in cotton prices.We should have moved to Atlanta a week or two before the program but instead we showed up the night before 🤦🏽‍♂️. Learning the hard way that it's not so easy to go back to a college lifestyle while running a startup and dealing with all that life throws at you in your late 30's.What is a startup and why is it not a business? Dave Payne is helping opening my eyes and unlocking the founder buried within 🙌🏽 🙇🏽‍♂️💰 FinancialsWe're re-racking revenue and expenses for the entire year so we can get better reports and insights from the data. Will begin reporting financial data later this month!📈 KPIsI promise all the pretty graphs and metrics will come but we're literally too busy building, selling, and shipping so for now:We've decided to get back into GROWTH MODE and given that our Go To Market Strategy (GTM, or basically how we're going to make money) is pointed at big businesses like enterprise hosts and hotels for the time being we'll be tracking a traditional B2B sales funnel as we roll through techstars. Here's what that looks like:North Star Metric: # of Doors Under Contract Last week: 81 This week: 81 Doors Contacted - MKE This Week: 199Last Week: - Doors Contacted - ATL This Week: 35Last Week: -Doors Pitched - MKE This Week: 3Last Week: - Doors Pitched - ATLThis Week: 0Last Week: -📢 Shout OutsOur techstars family (Dave Payne, Hannah Turner & De'Havia Stewart) for putting together an incredible program so far!The entire Cox family of companies for supplying funding, talent (dozens of awesome mentors + our corporate partners Kim Mackenzie, Greg Hearn, & Sharon FantoBradly from cohort member LDR Dates for introducing us to ClickUp so we can work as a remote first team and pick up our productivity!Wil Slickers & Bart Sobies for asking me to appear on their podcasts and becoming great friends in the process!I hope you enjoyed this update and I really love it when you tell me so! If you got this far send me a note, a thought, a connection, an investment, or whatever else crosses your mind. Per the challenge above, I may not see it for a while or be able to respond but responses to my updates go a long way in lifting my spirits!Cheers! - Daniel Cruz, ceo & co-founder, daniel@washbnb.com