12 hours ago
Controversial Kiwi start-up Kiki, once worth $38m, folds in New York
Kiki co-founders Jack Montgomerie (left) and Toby Thomas-Smith, pictured in New York in 2023.
Auckland-founded 'peer-to-peer subletting' start-up Kiki (formerly EasyRent) is pulling out of its only market – New York.
The firm – valued at US$23 million ($38m) during a 2023 funding round – says it's been collateral damage in the city's war on Airbnb, a service it accused of pushing up rents.