Rentana: A New Approach to Revenue Optimization in Real Estate
Despite real estate being one of the most data-rich sectors, about 80% of professionals still depend on spreadsheets for key decisions. This reliance on outdated methods slows down processes and wastes resources, especially in multifamily property management. Efficient revenue optimization tools are needed now more than ever.
Rentana offers an AI-driven revenue intelligence platform specifically for multifamily owners and operators. It provides real-time pricing insights, automated public market analysis, and a user-friendly experience. This helps professionals make faster, smarter decisions that boost growth and operational efficiency in a competitive environment.
Founded by a team with backgrounds at Stripe, Airtable, and Airbnb, Rentana modernizes workflows by automating pricing strategies. The platform can save customers up to 10 hours of manual pricing work per property each week, streamlining what was once a time-consuming process.
Insights from Julie Blanc, CEO and Cofounder of Rentana
Investment and Funding
Rentana recently closed a nearly $5 million Seed round led by Zigg Capital and Benchstrength. These investors bring more than capital—they provide strategic support, mentorship, and networks crucial for scaling a startup in this space.
Product Overview
Rentana’s platform delivers AI-powered revenue intelligence tailored for multifamily housing. It combines real-time market data with private rental data to produce unique, actionable pricing insights. The experience is fast and intuitive, enabling teams to stay ahead in dynamic markets.
Origin and Inspiration
The founders’ background includes modernizing workflows at Stripe, Airtable, and other tech companies. They noticed industries like airlines and hotels use advanced revenue optimization, while real estate pricing remained dated. Rentana was created to fill that gap, helping leaders optimize revenue and scale confidently through AI.
What Sets Rentana Apart
According to Robert Waz, VP of Revenue & Strategic Initiatives at 29th Street Capital, Rentana’s platform feels “like 2025” compared to older systems. It offers quick onboarding, instant updates, and saves significant time on price planning. The AI blends each customer’s private data with live market trends without sharing sensitive information across clients.
Target Market Size
Rentana focuses on multifamily property owners and operators in the U.S., a market valued at over $300 billion according to Freddie Mac. This sector has long depended on outdated revenue management software, making it ripe for technology adoption.
Business Model
The company operates on a B2B SaaS subscription basis, with pricing aligned to portfolio size and needs.
Preparing for Economic Changes
In uncertain economic times, Rentana emphasizes speed and precision. The platform tracks live supply and demand down to the submarket and unit level. It offers actionable recommendations to optimize pricing, anticipate shifts, and reduce vacancies, helping owners stay proactive.
Funding Experience
The funding process was personal for Julie Blanc, who has experience both as a VC and a founder. She bootstrapped Rentana initially to prove product-market fit before engaging strategic investors. Long-standing relationships with investors like Zigg Capital and Benchstrength helped secure funding at the right time.
Challenges in Raising Capital
Breaking into a traditional, established industry with a small, tech-focused team posed challenges. However, the advanced AI-driven approach and real-time insights convinced investors that Rentana offers a competitive advantage over legacy solutions.
Investor Confidence
Investors recognized the demand from real estate professionals frustrated by outdated tools. They saw Rentana’s potential to deliver growth-driving technology that saves time and anticipates market changes.
Upcoming Milestones
Rentana plans to develop an AI copilot that integrates customer goals, budgets, marketing data, and ancillary revenue streams like parking and storage. Conversational AI features will allow teams to interact with their data verbally, receiving instant market insights and forecasts.
Advice for New York Companies Without Fresh Capital
New York offers a strong startup ecosystem with resources such as Founders.nyc and Techstars. Engaging with local events and networks can strengthen fundraising strategies and build valuable connections.
Company Vision
The goal is to evolve Rentana into a comprehensive revenue optimization platform acting like a digital teammate. It will provide individualized insights, predictive analytics, and conversational AI to enhance portfolio strategy in real-time.
Personal Note
Julie Blanc enjoys spending time near the water in Tribeca, particularly walking along the Hudson in Rockefeller Park during spring. The river views and fresh breeze provide a refreshing break from the city’s pace.
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