Belgium: Brussels-based coliving company Cohabs has secured three new institutional investors.
The new investors are global real estate investor Ivanhoe Cambridge, Belfius Insurance, and the real estate arm of the Belgian sovereign fund (SFPIM – Real Estate). All the founders and historical shareholders AG Real Estate and Alphastone remain on board to fuel the growth of the company.
Founded in 2016 by four Belgian entrepreneurs — Youri Dauber, François Samyn, Malik Dauber, and Lionel Jadot — Cohabs is a fully integrated coliving platform that both owns and operates its real estate assets. The company has a current portfolio of 1,550 bedrooms across five cities (Brussels, Paris, New York, Madrid, and Luxembourg), with the majority of its team and assets based in Brussels.
It aims to reach 5,000 bedrooms across 11 cities by the end of 2026.
The new equity investments will allow investors to assist Cohabs in terms of structuring, financing, and operational growth due to their extensive resources and experience in developing high-quality real estate around the world. This will significantly strengthen Cohabs’ capital structure and increase its capacity to position itself as a major player with a focus on a sustainable coliving experience that always puts its members first.
Youri Dauber, founder & CEO of Cohabs, said: “From the very first meeting with Ivanhoé Cambridge, it was clear we were a good fit. They immediately understood our vision of coliving and shared our fundamental values. They have the experience, resources, and drive to help us reach the next level. Combine this dynamic with the belief and support from our historical Belgian investors and our ambition has all the fuel necessary for us to accomplish our goals. Our mission will remain the same: be the most qualitative, sustainable, and member-centric coliving company in the world.“
Arnaud Malbos, head of investments Europe for Ivanhoe Cambridge, added: “Cohabs offers everything we are looking for in terms of an innovative concept in an alternative asset class, which aligns with a strong and growing trend in the living sector, and we are confident the company will grow further internationally. This operation is another demonstration of Ivanhoé Cambridge’s ability to successfully close complex private equity deals, and to diversify its portfolio with alternative asset classes.“
Cohabs was advised on the transaction by Natixis Partners and Tandem Capital Advisors.
