The Roomy Finder Story: Solving Shared Living Challenges
This innovative platform, launched in 2021, aims to make shared living easier by helping people find compatible roommates and solve living challenges
In 2005, Ahad Al Salman discovered his passion for technology and realised that his purpose lay in creating services that make life easier for people. However, like many visionaries at the beginning, he did not know exactly where to start. It was not until 2021, while leading a consultancy, that a spark of inspiration hit him. He had nine employees living in shared spaces, and they frequently complained about their roommates. This daily observation became the catalyst for his next big idea, developing a platform that could solve roommate and shared living challenges not only for his employees but for anyone facing similar issues.
Ahad’s story is a perfect example of how personal experience can fuel innovation. Rather than simply noticing the problem and moving on, he committed to finding a real, practical solution that could create positive change in people’s lives.
Today, Ahad is here with us to show his journey is a perfect example of how a simple, everyday problem can lead to a powerful and innovative solution.
Ahad,
Welcome to Business Lobbies!
Q.1. What inspired you to create Roomy Finder? Was there a personal experience that sparked the idea?
Ahad - Absolutely. Like many who come to Dubai, I experienced the challenge of finding a suitable home and compatible roommates firsthand. I saw friends and colleagues spend weeks, even months, sifting through unverified online listings, dealing with broker fees, and meeting potential roommates with no guarantee of a good fit. The process was stressful, inefficient, and lacked trust. I realised this wasn't just an individual problem; it was a systemic issue in the market. That personal frustration was the spark. I thought, "There has to be a better way," and that's how the idea for Roomy Finder was born.
Q.2. In your own words, how is Roomy Finder different from other property rental or roommate apps?
Ahad - Other platforms act primarily as classified listings, digital bulletin boards where you're on your own. Roomy Finder is an end-to-end ecosystem. We don't just connect people; we match them and then facilitate a secure transaction. The key differentiators are our verification process, which is mandatory for every listing and tenant profile, and our integrated secure payment system that protects both parties. We've moved beyond just being a search tool to being a trusted partner in the entire co-living journey.
Q.3. What problem in Dubai’s housing market did you want to solve with this app? Or Why did you feel Dubai needed an app like Roomy?
Ahad - Dubai's housing market is dynamic and world-class, but it can be incredibly transient. The main problems we identified were:
· Lack of Trust: Unverified listings and anonymous users created a high risk of scams and misrepresentation.
· Inefficiency: Endless searching, coordinating viewings, and managing payments manually was a huge time sink.
· Poor Matching: Finding a room is one thing; finding a home with people you're compatible with is another. Most platforms ignored the human element of co-living.
Q.4. How did you decide on the core features - like verified listings, secure payments, and advanced matching filters?
Ahad - These features came directly from the pain points we identified. Verification was non-negotiable to build trust; it's the foundation. Secure payments address the financial anxiety both tenants and landlords face. The advanced matching filters (for lifestyle, habits, budgets, etc.) emerged from understanding that a successful shared living arrangement is about more than just the four walls; it's about the people inside them. We built the features the market was desperately asking for.
Q.5. Can you walk us through the process of ensuring that every property and tenant is 100% verified? Does the app directly connect or verify the tenant as well?
Ahad - Certainly. It's a two-sided process:
· For Properties/Landlords: We require property ownership documents (like a Title Deed) or a verified agency agreement. Our team cross-references this with official databases. We also conduct physical verification for many listings to ensure the photos and details match reality.
· For Tenants/Roommates: We use Emirates ID verification or passport. This confirms the user's real identity and legal status. This means every user you interact with on Roomy Finder is a real, verified person.
Q.6. How does Roomy Finder balance affordability with safety and convenience for users?
Ahad - We believe safety and convenience shouldn't be a premium luxury. By streamlining the process, reducing the time to find a home, eliminating broker fees on shared spaces, and preventing financial scams, we inherently create greater affordability. The value of a stress-free, secure experience is immense. Our model is to provide tremendous value through technology and trust, making the entire process more affordable in terms of both time and money.
Q.7. What were the biggest challenges in developing and launching the app in Dubai’s competitive market?
Ahad - The biggest challenge was changing user behaviour. People were accustomed to the old way of doing things, even if it was flawed. Convincing them to trust a new platform with their identity and payments required demonstrating unwavering consistency and security. Secondly, building a two-sided marketplace is a classic "chicken and egg" problem: you need landlords to attract tenants, and tenants to attract landlords. Our focus on a superior, secure experience helped us overcome this initial hurdle.
Q.8. How has the response been since launch? Any surprising feedback from landlords or tenants?
Ahad - The response has been overwhelmingly positive. The most surprising and rewarding feedback has been from users who found not just a room, but a community. We've heard stories of strangers becoming best friends, which is incredible. Landlords have consistently praised the quality of tenants and the reduction in vacancy periods and payment issues. It confirmed that we're solving a real human problem.
Q.9. Dubai is known for its diversity - how does Roomy Finder accommodate such a wide range of cultures and lifestyles?
Ahad - This is core to our matching algorithm. Our filters go beyond price and location to include language preferences, cultural backgrounds, lifestyle habits (like being a night owl or an early riser)and even working styles (remote vs. office-based). This allows users to find a living situation where they don't just reside, but truly belong and feel respected. We celebrate diversity by making it a key part of the matching process.
Q.10. How do you see Roomy Finder shaping the future of shared living in Dubai?
Ahad - We see Roomy Finder moving shared living from a transactional necessity to a curated experience. We envision a future where finding a home is seamless, and where technology intelligently connects like-minded people, fostering a stronger sense of community. We want to be the platform that enables flexible, community-driven living as a mainstream, respected choice for Dubai's residents.
Q.11. What role do you think technology will continue to play in transforming the rental housing sector?
Ahad - Technology will move from being a facilitator to a predictor and enhancer. AI and machine learning will enable hyper-personalized matches that go beyond what users even think to ask for. We'll see more integrated smart home features, streamlined digital contracts, and a fully transparent, data-driven ecosystem that eliminates friction and builds unparalleled trust.
Q.12. As a founder, how do you balance innovation with building trust in such a sensitive market?
Ahad - Trust is our product. Therefore, every innovation is measured against one question: "Does this enhance user trust and safety?" If a new feature compromises security for the sake of being flashy, we won't build it. Innovation must serve our core mission of creating a reliable and secure marketplace. We move thoughtfully, always putting our users' safety and privacy first.
Q.13. What lessons have you learned in your entrepreneurial journey with Roomy Finder?
Ahad - Never give up. Study the market well to identify the problem to offer a tailored solution and before all of that, you need to have faith in yourself and the product in your hands. Also, explore every single opportunity that comes your way. Work silently and let the achievements be your words.
Q.14. Is the app free?
Ahad - The app is free to register for everyone. We only charge a low fixed fee for posting the property. We also do not take any percentage on any transaction between tenants and landlords.
The core functionality of creating a profile, browsing verified listings, and matching with potential roommates is free for tenants. This ensures everyone has access to finding a safe home. We have premium subscription plans for landlords and agents that provide enhanced visibility and listing management tools.
Q.15. Who do you see as your primary user of the app?
Ahad - Our primary user is the young professional, student, or expatriate new to Dubai, anyone value-conscious who seeks a modern, community-oriented, and safe living experience without the traditional hassles of the rental market. They are tech-savvy, time-poor, and looking for more than just a transaction; they are looking for a home and a community.
The app is available in English, Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Turkish, Tagalog and Urdu and soon in Farsi.
With this, we come to the end of this important and valuable interview. We thank Mr. Ahad Al Salman for sharing his constructive and meticulous thoughts, and we wish him all the very best for all his future endeavours.
Stay tuned on our platform Business Lobbies for more such exclusive interviews, Op-Eds, and special feature articles on all things business.
Did you find this insightful? Check out our more interviews –
https://businesslobbies.com/media/1/charting-creative-frontiers
Comments