YouAlberta
Looking for off-campus housing can be incredibly difficult, especially when you have no idea what you're really looking for in a brand-new city or even country. This was the exact challenge my long-time friend and fellow U of A student Jean Bruce Koua personally experienced when moving to Canada for school. This is what motivated him and his friends Kevin Mpunga and Kwasi Boateng (both recent U of A Alumni) to co-found Elev. Elev helps university students find housing off campus by streamlining the entire renting experience and bringing it all into one platform. I asked Jean Bruce about his experience as a student co-founder of a tech start-up and how his business can solve students' problems.
What motivated you to start Elev? What problem are you trying to solve?
To be frank, Elev started out of frustration. As a student who has never lived in Canada, I had to get to know the culture, the city, how to be a university student and so much more. Everything was brand new. On top of that, I also had to find an affordable place to live. This was especially important to me because I am an international student, and considering the cost of my tuition, my personal financial situation and my lifestyle, on-campus living was not the best option for me. I had to find a place on a budget. I used Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Rentingspaces and soo many other platforms while trying to look for legitimate housing and dodging scams. In addition, when using these platforms, I felt three steps behind because these platforms were all tailored for landlords looking for professionals with an income and a good credit history/score. Meanwhile, I also had to deal with the stigma of being a student. Landlords assume students are party animals, can't pay on time and are generally irresponsible. This wasn't me, and this wasn't the students I knew.
Students are being priced out of the market and are not on the same playing field as others looking to rent. There had to be an easier, frictionless and stressless way to find an affordable off-campus living situation. Out of this, Elev was born.
What is Elev? Why is Elev the solution?
Elev is centred around students! In fact, Elev means student in French. Elev is to the students, for the students, by the students. We wanted to create something that was built with filters for students. After surveying plenty of students (even Nathaniel), we built something with students in the driver's seat. We don't just stop at helping students find a place, but we created a system that would support students from the start to finish of their off-campus living situation. Through Elev, you can look for a place, sign the lease, pay your rent (through the app or reminders) and soon build your credit, all through the platform. Elev shares the tools you need to become a better tenant while improving your finances. Elev is the solution to the off-campus housing problem.
What has been the most challenging and rewarding part of starting Elev?
The most challenging part is dealing with the fact that nothing is a guarantee, navigating the unknown, and being hopeful while being resilient (It actually sounds a lot like finding off-campus living). In the face of a challenge like Nike, I just do it. I also ask myself: "what's the worst that can happen?" In the worst case, I take my no and move on. I read somewhere: "What makes an entrepreneur different from everyone else is the roots from where the great ideas come: it comes from what if? What if we try this? What if we did that?"
The most rewarding part is finally getting to the yes. It might seem like the odds are a thousand to one, but it doesn't hurt to try. The one time you succeed makes a thousand tries worth it. Especially when it comes to helping students. Being students, we understand the problem, and that is the biggest motivation to find the solution.
Being an international student where I deal with being an immigrant and a student, I've built a thick skin. I've been able to relate and build relationships in the process.
Where can students learn more or keep up with Elev?
If you, or someone you know, is looking for a place to stay this winter or next summer, you can find us on:
Email: hello@elevhomes.ca
Jean Bruce Koua is a Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Economics, minoring in Political Science and being alumni of the Arts Work Experience Program.