The UK-based flat-sharing platform SpareRoom has acquired one of its rivals Roomgo – better known by its previous name of Easyroommate. 

The sale increases SpareRoom’s existing share in the UK and US markets and adds 18 new territories, creating what it describes as “the world’s largest roommate finding service.”

The combined service will operate in 20 countries, in five languages and have just under 40m global registered users.

“SpareRoom has long been the clear market leader in the UK. This acquisition gives us the platform to do the same in the US and beyond, and gives flatmates across the world the safe, simple and effective service we’re renowned for” according to founder Rupert Hunt.

SpareRoom was founded in the UK by Hunt in 2004, and the company launched in the US in 2011. 

Unusually for a high traffic tech company, SpareRoom remains privately owned with no external funders or shareholders.

“Living with flatmates is a global way of life” Hunt continues. “Millions of people around the world share their homes and that’s only likely to increase over the coming decade. But it requires a different approach to simply renting or buying a property. 

“Sharing can be a life changing experience, and it’s the people who make or break it, not the property. Finding the right flatmates can lead to you having one of the best years of your life, so at SpareRoom, that’s our focus – helping people around the world find their perfect flatmates.”