Localbird

About Localbird

Localbird is a tech-enabled company operating in the vacation rental market, providing a virtual concierge service designed for property managers and hosts. The firm was co-founded in 2022 by brothers Ben Levy, who serves as CEO, and Joseph Levy, the COO. The concept for Localbird originated from the founders' personal travel experience in Hawaii in 2020, where they recognized an opportunity to digitize and monetize the local recommendations hosts provided to guests.

The company's primary clients are short-term rental property managers and hosts, whom Localbird equips with tools to enhance guest experiences and create ancillary revenue streams. The business model is structured as a marketplace and is free for hosts to use. Revenue is generated via a commission, or take rate, charged to local service vendors for each booking made through the platform. A portion of this commission is then shared with the property host, who earns 10% from each transaction. This model presents no upfront cost to hosts, positioning the service as a risk-free income opportunity.

Localbird's platform curates a network of local vendors and offers guests a range of bookable experiences and services, such as tours, activities, private chefs, and massages. For property managers, the service integrates with their existing Property Management Systems (PMS) or Online Travel Agency (OTA) channels. Once integrated, hosts can provide guests with a personalized link that directs them to a curated list of local experiences. This system allows travelers to book services directly, supported by live chat, while hosts automatically receive a commission for each booking. In October 2024, the Israel-based startup announced the closing of an undisclosed pre-seed funding round to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, and further develop its technology.