Every entrepreneurial story begins with a moment of frustration — a spark that ignites change. For Yash Kumar, that moment came from the difficulty of finding authentic and affordable homestays in India that could match the experiences he’d come to enjoy during his years in the United States.

Each time he returned home, Yash saw incredible potential all around — beautiful cottages, cozy villas, and family-run stays nestled across India’s hills and heritage towns. Yet, most of these properties remained invisible online, and the few that were listed often lacked the right tools to thrive in a competitive digital landscape.

This gap soon evolved into an idea — one that led to the creation of Homeyhuts, a Hyderabad-based startup determined to simplify homestay hosting in India and empower hosts across the country.

With its zero-commission subscription model, all-in-one mobile app, and AI-powered tools, Homeyhuts is betting that India’s fragmented homestay ecosystem is ready for a transformation. It aims to make hosting accessible, profitable, and sustainable for everyone — from urban homeowners to family-run cottages in remote towns.

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From the American Dream Back to India

Yash’s professional journey was anything but ordinary. Raised in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, he pursued engineering and began his career as a software developer before moving to the United States in 2012, where he built a flourishing tech career.

By his late thirties, Yash had achieved what many aspire to — earning over ₹2 crore annually, owning multiple homes, and living what most would call the “American Dream.” Yet, despite the success, a deep desire to build something meaningful and impactful back home continued to grow.

That inner calling reignited in 2018, during a road trip across South India. While exploring, Yash noticed how platforms like Airbnb and VRBO had revolutionized travel abroad. In contrast, India’s homestay owners — often family-run and middle-aged — faced steep challenges such as language barriers, high commissions, complicated digital tools, and poor visibility online.

“There was something missing — a need to build something meaningful that truly connected with my roots and made a real difference for people in India,” recalled Yash Kumar, Founder of Homeyhuts.

By 2023, Yash began prototyping Homeyhuts while still in the U.S. A year later, he and his wife made the bold decision to sell their properties, quit their lucrative jobs, and return to India to bring their vision to life.

“I moved back to India in April 2024, sold everything in the US, and spent six months learning on the ground in Uttarakhand,” Yash said. “Entrepreneurship has always been my passion. I ran a few ventures in India before moving to the U.S., but Homeyhuts became my purpose — to empower Indian homestay owners with technology and support so they can truly succeed.”

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The Problem: A Broken Hosting Ecosystem

India’s homestay sector has enormous potential but remains largely fragmented. Over 40% of homestays are still offline, and those that are listed depend on one or two major OTAs like Airbnb or MakeMyTrip, losing 15–21% of every booking in commissions. Most hosts juggle multiple apps, risk double bookings, and struggle with tools originally designed for hotels — not small, family-run stays.

For guests, the experience isn’t much better. Many travelers are left choosing between generic hotels or overpriced rentals, often missing out on the authentic local stays that make India’s travel culture so unique.

This is the gap Homeyhuts set out to fix — to make hosting simple, transparent, and profitable for property owners, while helping travelers find verified, affordable, and meaningful stays.

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The Solution: “Host It Yourself” or “Managed”

In 2024, Homeyhuts began its journey with a pilot project in Uttarakhand. The response was encouraging, prompting the team to introduce “Managed by Homeyhuts” — a concierge-style service that handles every aspect of hosting, from listing and communication to pricing and bookings. This model quickly gained traction among busy hosts in popular destinations like Nainital, Manali, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Hyderabad.

However, the real game-changer came in July 2025 with the launch of “Host It Yourself” — Homeyhuts’ all-in-one app solution designed for independent hosts. This self-service platform empowers property owners to take complete control of their listings while eliminating middlemen and commission cuts.

With subscription plans starting at just ₹490 per property per month, hosts can list their properties, synchronize calendars across multiple OTAs via the in-built channel manager, access dynamic pricing tools, and connect directly with verified guests — all while paying zero commission fees.

The subscription plan extends up to ₹490 per property per month and includes the channel manager. Alternatively, hosts can choose a pay-per-booking model that charges 8–10% per booking. Those managing multiple properties can also opt for the Channel Manager Add-on at ₹400 per property per month.

The built-in channel manager synchronizes property availability across more than eight OTAs and includes a unique “Magic Cluster” feature that automatically links multiple listings of the same property to prevent double bookings and optimize visibility.

Homeyhuts has also reimagined guest communication. Verified travelers can directly message hosts through WhatsApp after completing ID verification — ensuring secure yet convenient interaction. Hosts must provide property ownership proof, a government-issued ID, and complete a one-time video KYC for added trust and compliance.

In addition, Homeyhuts ensures that host payouts are fast and transparent — with payments processed the very next day after guest check-in. The platform also supports multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Combined with AI-driven pricing and chatbot support, it makes digital hosting accessible even for non-English-speaking property owners.

“Most homestay owners are family-run businesses operating on tight margins. Our model ensures they retain 100% of their earnings while using powerful digital tools to grow,” said Yash Kumar, Founder and CEO of Homeyhuts.

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What Makes It Different

While global platforms like Airbnb or MakeMyTrip often rely on costly third-party integrations, Homeyhuts offers a unified solution. It combines all essential tools — from channel management and dynamic pricing to multilingual support and guest verification — within one intuitive interface designed specifically for India’s homestay ecosystem.

Beyond software, Homeyhuts also sets clear property standards to ensure guest satisfaction — from clean, well-maintained rooms to reliable Wi-Fi, water, and hygiene compliance. This clarity builds trust between hosts and guests, creating a consistent travel experience nationwide.

The platform accommodates a diverse range of properties — including homestays, villas, cottages, boutique resorts, B&Bs, and serviced apartments — while intentionally excluding large hotels and dormitories to preserve its authentic, family-run character.

For hosts, this translates to control, transparency, and affordability. For travelers, it ensures verified stays, direct communication, and fair pricing.

According to market estimates, the Indian homestay OTA segment was valued at ₹24,100 crore ($2.9 billion) in 2024 and is projected to reach ₹85,420 crore ($10 billion) by 2034, growing at a steady CAGR of 13.5%. With nearly 27 lakh second homes across India — 40% of which could be converted into homestays — the potential is immense.

Since launch, Homeyhuts has onboarded 2,000+ properties across 16 states, surpassing ₹2 crore in gross booking volume and generating ₹22 lakh+ in revenue. Its thriving Facebook community of 169,000+ property owners has also played a crucial role in feedback collection and product innovation.

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Challenges of Being Bootstrapped

Building a two-sided marketplace like Homeyhuts without external funding was never going to be easy. From hiring skilled AI engineers to maintaining high product quality and managing growth ambitions with limited resources, the startup faced its fair share of hurdles.

Yet, being bootstrapped also came with a silver lining. It gave Yash and his team the freedom to innovate rapidly, test new ideas without investor pressure, and stay laser-focused on the needs of homestay owners — rather than chasing vanity metrics or unrealistic growth targets.

Over time, this approach built credibility within the community, earning trust among hosts who valued a transparent and founder-driven platform over corporate intermediaries.

“The biggest challenge has been assembling a highly skilled team while working within a limited budget. But that’s also been our greatest learning curve,” said Yash Kumar.

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Future Plans

Looking ahead, Homeyhuts plans to scale aggressively across India, targeting 10,000 properties by 2026 and more than 20,000 by 2027–28. The expansion strategy includes deeper penetration into high-tourism regions such as Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, and the Northeast.

On the global front, the company intends to take its proprietary AI-powered tools overseas under a new brand called Letloom, beginning with pilot programs across Southeast Asia. This marks the first step in establishing Homeyhuts’ technology as an exportable solution for the global vacation rental industry.

Yash also revealed that the company expects to achieve profitability by 2026, but profitability isn’t the only goal. The focus, he emphasized, is on sustainable growth and building a resilient, community-driven brand.

“Long-term, our vision is to create a trusted, host-first ecosystem that celebrates authentic Indian travel experiences. We want Homeyhuts to stand for genuine, affordable, and locally rooted stays — not just in India but across the world,” Kumar said.

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FAQs

1. What is Homeyhuts, and how does it differ from platforms like Airbnb or MakeMyTrip?

Homeyhuts is India’s first dedicated homestay OTA platform that operates on a zero-commission subscription model. Unlike global platforms such as Airbnb or MakeMyTrip, Homeyhuts integrates AI-driven pricing, guest verification, and OTA synchronization into one platform specifically designed for small, family-run properties.

2. How can homestay owners join Homeyhuts?

Property owners can download the Homeyhuts mobile app, sign up, and list their property in less than ten minutes. The process requires basic ownership proof, a government-issued ID, and one-time KYC verification for security.

3. What services does “Managed by Homeyhuts” provide?

Managed by Homeyhuts is a premium service for time-constrained hosts, managing every aspect of hosting — from listings and guest communication to dynamic pricing and booking management. It’s especially popular in key tourist destinations like Goa, Manali, and Nainital.

4. How does the “Host It Yourself” subscription work?

The Host It Yourself plan caters to experienced hosts who prefer full control. For a monthly subscription starting at ₹490 per property, hosts can access calendar synchronization across eight major OTAs, AI-powered pricing, verified guest messaging, and advanced channel management tools. The plan can reduce management costs by more than 70% compared to traditional OTA commissions.

5. What types of properties can be listed on Homeyhuts?

Homeyhuts supports listings for homestays, villas, cottages, boutique resorts, bed-and-breakfasts, and serviced apartments. Large hotels and dormitories are excluded to maintain the platform’s focus on authentic, locally managed accommodations.

6. Does Homeyhuts support regional languages?

Yes. Homeyhuts supports Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, with AI-powered chatbots to assist non-English-speaking hosts. This inclusivity makes it one of the few proptech startups truly designed for India’s linguistic diversity.

7. Are guest bookings on Homeyhuts verified and secure?

Absolutely. All travelers must undergo identity verification, and hosts are required to submit government ID and property ownership proof. After successful KYC, both parties can communicate securely via WhatsApp integration — ensuring transparency and safety.

8. Can hosts choose between a subscription and commission model?

Yes. Homeyhuts offers flexibility through two pricing options: a fixed monthly subscription starting at ₹490–₹990 per property or a pay-per-booking commission model of 8–10%. Hosts can select the model that best suits their business volume and strategy.

9. How does the Homeyhuts Channel Manager help hosts?

The Homeyhuts Channel Manager is India’s first dedicated system for homestays and vacation rentals. It syncs availability across eight major OTAs and includes a smart clustering feature to prevent double bookings — all at a fraction of the cost charged by global providers.