By Profit Journal Newsroom
Hyderabad, 22 Sep 2025,
Hyderabad, India – Arjun Sharma, a former Silicon Valley tech leader, walked away from a Rs 2 crore annual salary to launch NestEasy, India’s first zero-commission homestay platform. Launched in 2024, the Hyderabad-based startup is shaking up the travel industry by empowering homestay owners with cutting-edge tools and slashing the hefty fees charged by traditional platforms.
From American Dream to Indian Innovation
Born in Varanasi, Arjun Sharma, 39, built a high-flying career in California after moving there in 2011. With a cushy tech job and multiple properties, he had it all—until a 2019 road trip through Himachal Pradesh changed everything. Sharma saw untapped potential in India’s homestays: charming villas, heritage homes, and family-run retreats struggling to gain online visibility or drowning in 12–20% commission fees charged by platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
“I wanted to create a platform that puts hosts first and brings authentic Indian stays to travelers,” Sharma told Profit Journal. In 2024, he sold his US assets, relocated to Hyderabad with his wife, and founded NestEasy, a startup poised to disrupt India’s booming homestay market.
Cracking a Rs 25,000 Crore Market
India’s homestay sector, valued at Rs 25,000 crore ($3 billion) in 2024, is expected to hit Rs 90,000 crore ($10.8 billion) by 2035, growing at a 14% CAGR, according to industry reports. Yet, with 30 lakh second homes in India, nearly half remain offline, and online hosts face high commissions, language barriers, and clunky tech.
NestEasy tackles these pain points with its HostPro App, offering a flat subscription starting at Rs 399 per property per month. Hosts can list properties, sync bookings across 10+ OTAs, access AI-powered pricing, and connect with verified guests via WhatsApp—keeping 100% of their earnings. For busy hosts, NestEasy Managed takes over listings, bookings, and guest communication, proving popular in destinations like Shimla, Ooty, and Darjeeling.
The platform’s SmartSync tool prevents double bookings, while support for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati, plus AI chatbots, ensures accessibility for non-English-speaking hosts. Strict verification—ownership proof, government IDs, and video KYC for hosts, plus ID checks for guests—builds trust.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
Unlike global giants, NestEasy is laser-focused on India’s unique homestay ecosystem. It skips large hotels, prioritizing intimate properties like farmhouses and boutique stays. Hosts can choose a subscription (Rs 399–799/month) or a 7–9% commission model, with payouts hitting accounts within 24 hours of guest check-in.
“We’re giving hosts control and affordability,” Sharma said. “Our tools are built for families running homestays, not corporate hotels.” Since its debut, NestEasy has onboarded 2,500 properties across 18 states, hitting Rs 2.5 crore in gross booking volume and Rs 25 lakh in revenue.
Bootstrapped Grit and Big Plans
Self-funded, NestEasy faced challenges hiring top AI talent and scaling on a lean budget. “Balancing growth and quality was tough, but it kept us nimble,” Sharma said. A WhatsApp community of 175,000+ hosts has fueled feedback and growth.
Looking ahead, NestEasy aims to scale to 12,000 properties by 2027 and 25,000 by 2029, targeting Kerala, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast. A sister brand, StayBloom, will take its tech to Southeast Asia and the Middle East by 2028. Profitability is eyed for 2027, with Sharma prioritizing sustainable impact.
“NestEasy is about empowering hosts and showcasing India’s hospitality to the world,” he said.
Key Facts
- Market Size: India’s homestay market is projected to grow from Rs 25,000 crore in 2024 to Rs 90,000 crore by 2035.
- Unique Edge: Zero-commission subscriptions, AI tools, and vernacular language support.
- Growth: 2,500+ properties, Rs 2.5 crore in bookings, Rs 25 lakh in revenue.
- Future Goals: 12,000 properties by 2027; global expansion by 2028.
For more details, visit NestEasy’s website or download the HostPro App.
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