Cleaning Companies Around the World That Attracted Significant Investments

The global cleaning industry has experienced significant growth, driven by increasing demand for professional cleaning services across residential, commercial, and specialized sectors. As the market expands, numerous cleaning companies have attracted substantial investments from venture capitalists and private equity firms, helping them scale operations, adopt innovative technologies, and establish strong brand presences. This article highlights some of the cleaning companies worldwide that have successfully secured investor interest.

1. Handy (United States)

Overview

Handy, founded in 2012, is a New York-based platform that connects customers with professional cleaners and home service providers. The company quickly gained traction due to its user-friendly app and the convenience it offers by allowing users to book cleaning and other home services with just a few clicks.

Investment Milestones

Handy has raised over $110 million in funding from prominent investors such as General Catalyst, Revolution Growth, and Highland Capital Partners. The company’s success attracted a buyout from ANGI Homeservices (the parent company of HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List) in 2018, solidifying its position as a leader in the on-demand cleaning and home services market.

Key to Investor Interest

• Scalable platform with a broad range of services beyond just cleaning.
• Strong brand recognition and user-friendly technology.
• Expanding customer base and growth potential in both the U.S. and global markets.

2. Helpling (Germany)

Overview

Helpling, founded in 2014 in Berlin, is one of Europe’s leading platforms for booking cleaning services. Operating in over 10 countries, Helpling allows users to find and book vetted cleaners for residential and commercial spaces through its app and website. The platform’s expansion across Europe, Asia, and Australia has made it a significant player in the cleaning industry.

Investment Milestones

Helpling has raised approximately $95 million in funding from investors such as Lakestar, Rocket Internet, and Mangrove Capital Partners. The company’s rapid growth and international expansion attracted significant capital, allowing it to acquire competitors and solidify its market share.

Key to Investor Interest

• Rapid international expansion and first-mover advantage in several markets.
• Strong backing from reputable investors with expertise in scaling tech-driven businesses.
• A scalable business model focused on customer convenience and platform growth.

3. TidyMe (Australia)

Overview

TidyMe, an Australian-based cleaning platform, was founded in 2014 to connect busy households with professional cleaners. The platform quickly became popular in Sydney and Melbourne, offering users a reliable service with transparent pricing and vetted professionals.

Investment Milestones

In 2018, TidyMe was acquired by Helpling, marking a significant investment move that allowed Helpling to enter the Australian market. Although TidyMe did not raise substantial capital independently, its acquisition highlighted the growing interest in consolidating the fragmented cleaning service market.

Key to Investor Interest

• Strong local brand with a loyal customer base in major Australian cities.
• High-quality service standards and consistent customer satisfaction.
• Strategic fit for larger players looking to expand into new regions.

4. Cleanly (United States)

Overview

Cleanly started in 2014 as an on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service in New York City, but it quickly expanded its service offering to include home cleaning. The company’s technology-driven platform, coupled with a focus on urban markets, allowed it to gain a strong foothold in major U.S. cities.

Investment Milestones

Cleanly raised $7.3 million in seed funding from investors such as Initialized Capital and Altair Capital. Although primarily focused on laundry, its move into home cleaning attracted investor interest, leading to a merger with its competitor, NextCleaners, in 2018.

Key to Investor Interest

• Strong technology platform optimized for urban customers.
• Diversified service offerings with both laundry and cleaning services.
• High growth potential in densely populated cities.

5. Urban Company (India)

Overview

Urban Company (formerly known as UrbanClap), based in India, is a major player in the home services market. Founded in 2014, the company offers a wide range of services, including home cleaning, beauty services, and maintenance work. It operates across India and has expanded into the UAE, Singapore, and Australia.

Investment Milestones

Urban Company has raised over $445 million from investors like Tiger Global, Accel, and Sequoia Capital. The company’s rapid growth and diverse service offerings have made it one of the most heavily funded cleaning and home service platforms in the world. In 2021, the company achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $2 billion.

Key to Investor Interest

• Comprehensive service offerings across multiple verticals, beyond just cleaning.
• Strong presence in emerging markets with high growth potential.
• Proven track record of scaling in both domestic and international markets.

6. MaidEasy (Malaysia)

Overview

MaidEasy, a cleaning service platform founded in 2015 in Malaysia, connects customers with part-time cleaners for residential cleaning. The company focuses on making cleaning services more accessible and affordable, particularly for middle-income households.

Investment Milestones

MaidEasy secured funding from investors such as 500 Startups, an early-stage venture capital firm known for backing scalable tech startups. The investment helped MaidEasy enhance its platform, expand operations across Malaysia, and improve its customer acquisition efforts.

Key to Investor Interest

• Growing demand for affordable, reliable cleaning services in Southeast Asia.
• Efficient use of technology to connect clients with freelance cleaners.
• Strong growth prospects in the rapidly urbanizing Malaysian market.

Conclusion

The cleaning industry is undergoing significant transformation globally, driven by technology, changing consumer habits, and investor interest. From tech-enabled platforms like Helpling and Urban Company to localized services like MaidEasy, cleaning businesses that offer convenience, quality, and scalability continue to attract substantial investment. These success stories highlight the potential for growth and profitability in the cleaning sector, making it a promising area for future ventures and investments.

FAQs

1. What are the key factors that attract investors to cleaning companies?

   • Scalability, technology-driven solutions, expanding customer base, and proven market demand are major factors that attract investors.

2. How do cleaning platforms differentiate themselves in a competitive market?

   • Companies often differentiate through user-friendly technology, a broad range of services, regional expansion, and superior customer service.

3. Why is the cleaning industry seeing increased investor interest?

   • The consistent demand for cleaning services, combined with the convenience offered by online platforms, makes it an attractive and stable investment sector.

4. Are there specific regions where cleaning businesses are more likely to attract investment?

   • Urban areas with large populations and high economic activity, such as major cities in Europe, the U.S., and Southeast Asia, tend to see more investor interest.

5. What role does technology play in attracting investments in the cleaning industry?

   • Technology is crucial for scaling operations, improving customer experience, and streamlining logistics, all of which are essential for attracting significant investments.

6. How does market consolidation affect investment opportunities in the cleaning sector?

   • Market consolidation, like Helpling acquiring TidyMe, often creates larger entities with more stable revenues and growth potential, making them more appealing to investors.

7. Which cleaning company has raised the most investment globally?

   • Urban Company in India is among the highest-funded cleaning and home service platforms, with over $445 million in investments, driven by its diversified service offerings and expansion strategy.