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A startup is showing steep growth: sales jumped from 3.2 billion won two years ago to 9.7 billion won last year, tripling in size, and recorded 4 billion won in the first quarter alone this year. This is GosuPlus GosuPlus, which has opened up the market for 'short-term housing subscription without deposit burdens.'
Founded in 2020, GosuPlus began its business with 'Doklip Saenghwal,' a platform providing information and contracts for co-living spaces such as goshiwons (study dormitories) where single-person households live together. It has since expanded into the short-term housing and accommodation brand 'Monthliv.' Monthliv is becoming a powerful engine driving GosuPlus's growth.
Combining 'Monthly' and 'Live,' Monthliv is a premium flexible living brand that utilizes idle spaces within city centers to shed the poor image of traditional goshiwons, offering residents comfortable living spaces based on high-quality interior design and materials.
Park Young-eun, CEO of GosuPlus, likened Monthliv to a 'five-star goshiwon.' He stated, "We have applied built-in appliances and hotel-style interiors, and equipped IoT (Internet of Things) unmanned access systems." He added, "We have introduced the 'IoT Unmanned Access System 2.0,' which allows app integration and remote password issuance, across all branches."
Monthliv's revenue structure has two main streams: one-time development revenue generated when converting vacant spaces into Monthliv branches through remodeling, and ongoing operational management fees that continue after development.
Park Yeong-eun (CEO) said, "We take full responsibility from property discovery and market analysis to design and construction, owner matching, resident consultation, and settlement." He emphasized, "Our operational model aims for the headquarters to handle every process so that branch owners do not need to intervene directly in operations."
He added, "We turn empty spaces into money-making assets. Monthliv branch owners can enjoy stable cash flow without investing significant labor." He stressed, "We provide an average ROI (return on investment) of 22% to branch owners."
The growth trend is proven by numbers. Starting with the flagship Seongsu store in November 2024, Monthliv branches have increased by one each month over 18 months, now reaching 30 locations. Among these, 16 are concentrated in Seoul, while expansion has also reached local areas such as Osan and Jeju.
The Osan branch was developed at the request of the building owner and is currently 90% occupied, while the Jeju branch is a case where GosuPlus directly purchased the property. Park (CEO) stated, "Our goal this year is to develop up to four branches per month," adding, "We plan to open a total of 50 branches by year-end."
GosuPlus's monthly Monthliv startup seminars consistently attract over 20 attendees. Key participants include seniors seeking cash flow after retirement, existing Ko Si (Director) who are tired of direct operations, and building owners struggling with vacant spaces.
Park (CEO) said, "From an entrepreneurship perspective, the strongest customers are those already running goshiwons." He explained, "Because they know from experience that this business is profitable and allows them to sell their rights later, they make decisions immediately when they sense an opportunity."
He noted, "If you operate a goshiwon directly, there's no one to work for you when you're sick or traveling. With Monthliv, we charge only 10% of total sales as operational management fees. If monthly sales reach 20 million won, that means hiring an employee who never gets tired for just 2 million won."
From the end-user (resident) perspective, Monthliv's strength lies in its organic connection with Doklip Saenghwal, operated by GosuPlus. If Monthliv provides the hardware to create spaces, Doklip Saenghwal serves as the platform connecting these spaces to end-users.
Doklip Saenghwal's core technology is XR (extended reality) and VR (virtual reality)-based room tour capabilities. Park (CEO) emphasized, "Prospective residents can vividly check actual room size, water pressure, and cleanliness through the app." He added, "By connecting only genuine customers, we have improved branch owners' operational efficiency by over 70%."
He identified three main reasons why end-users choose Monthliv: no deposit burden, time savings due to proximity between work and residence, and flexibility to live for as long as needed before moving out. Park (CEO) stated, "We are becoming a new infrastructure that guarantees housing flexibility and freedom of movement."
What differentiates GosuPlus from other proptech companies is its own media asset, 'Bang Sonyeo (Girl Who Introduces Rooms).' The YouTube channel 'Bang Sonyeo,' hosted by Park (CEO) herself, has recorded 15,000 subscribers and 5 million cumulative views, establishing itself as a powerful IP (intellectual property) in the short-term housing industry.
'Bang Sonyeo' is delivering effects beyond simple promotion, functioning as 'content that creates actual contracts.' Park (CEO) said, "We attract residents, prospective entrepreneurs, and building owners with zero advertising costs." She added, "People who find us through 'Bang Sonyeo' become Monthliv branch owners or form building partnerships, demonstrating a lock-in effect."
To solidify its current growth trend into a clear 'J-curve,' GosuPlus is currently pursuing Series A funding. The capital raised will be focused on directly purchasing real estate or proactively developing properties.
Park (CEO) stated, "GosuPlus will build a model where we directly purchase facilities or create them first, prove profitability through operational data, and then sell to investors seeking to acquire them."
He continued, "Removing the business buffer is also crucial. When developing new properties, delays in matching with branch owners or time required for zoning changes can create financial gaps. We will utilize funds to fill these gaps and dramatically accelerate our business speed."
GosuPlus aims to achieve 300 Monthliv branches nationwide by 2028 and grow into a global housing platform targeting not only young people and short-term stayers but also international students and digital nomads.
Park (CEO) said, "Our dream for the future of housing is that wherever you are, a home ready for you will be available, allowing you to live according to your own plans and schedules." She added, "We will build a housing subscription ecosystem where anyone can move and reside freely without housing concerns."
[MoneyToday startup media platform 'Unicorn Factory']
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