New international students joining the University this September and searching for accommodation in Luxembourg might find what they are looking for on WeConnect platform which offers intergenerational coliving. WeConnect, launched in 2023, helps students to find affordable housing by living with a host that has a room to rent.
Founded by two Bachelor in Psychology students, Clémentine Offner and Ivo Silva, WeConnect is a societal impact company that puts students looking for accommodation in touch with private individuals willing to host them in their homes. “Students and hosts share the same open-mindedness and the search for a human and social experience,” details Clémentine.
The students came up with the idea for the platform in September 2021 after realising the extent of housing demand among their fellow students. What started out as a purely theoretical project has now become a tangible reality.
More than ten students have already been able to benefit from this advantageous accommodation package. “It is a cultural exchange, and not just an intergenerational one, as the students can learn much more about the culture and life in the Grand Duchy from their host than they could on their own,” explains Clémentine.
“Our offer is also a response to the fight against loneliness, for both hosts and students, who sometimes arrive in Luxembourg without knowing anyone,” adds Ivo. It is often the case that hosts and students forge strong links during their time living together, with landlords welcoming back the same guest. Most lease contracts run for six months. The WeConnect team remains available during the contract to monitor how things are going and respond to any queries or requests. The contracts can then be renewed.
This unique formula includes two types of insurance: civil liability and rental risk. This is yet another argument to convince new hosts as over 200 students already registered on the platform.
Together with the other two co-founders Gilles Heinesch and Christian Gutenkauf, the WeConnect team benefits from the support of the University of Luxembourg Incubator and Entrepreneurship Programme. “They enabled us to get mentoring from experienced people who answered our questions and gave us support”, says Ivo.
With its diverse portfolio of initiatives addressing various societal challenges, WeConnect is very a welcome addition to the Luxembourgish startup ecosystem. The company is poised to not only alleviate the housing challenges faced by students but also foster meaningful connections across generations. “Our ambition is first to grow our project in Luxembourg before looking at other countries,” summarises Clémentine.
Photo at the top (from left to right): Gilles Heinesch, Clémentine Offner, Christian Gutenkauf and Ivo Silva © WeConnect