US: San Francisco-based short-term rental property management company WanderJaunt is shuttering operations across its eight markets in the United States.
Customers attempting to contact WanderJaunt by phone were met with a voice message on its customer service line that said the company was ceasing operations due to “current economic conditions” and would no longer be operational from 30 June.
The voice message added that guests who were due to check out on 30 June would be able to complete their stays, however those with a checkout beyond then would be required to vacate the premises by the company’s closure date.
WanderJaunt said that it would process refund requests for affected customers, but that those experiencing difficulties should contacts their credit card companies. Those booking through third-party booking platforms should also contact the relevant company directly.
Around 85 employees are believed to have been made redundant following the company’s closure.
Co-founded by Michael Chen, Barrett Glasauer and Andrés Green, WanderJaunt launched in 2016 and raised more than $25 million in funding over a three-year period, including a $15 million Series B round in September 2019 – just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The startup was backed by the likes of Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, Global Founders Capital, SV Angel and Tribe Capital.
Describing itself as “the first customer-obsessed, decentralised hospitality brand enabling a seamless experience for both travellers and homeowners”, WanderJaunt operated in Phoenix, Austin, San Diego, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte and Tampa.
