How a horrible renovation experience inspired Kluje to build a home renovation empire

Over 400 accounts created in its first 2 months.

Launched in November last year, Singapore-based startup Kluje Pte aims to renovate home improvement industry in the region through its multi-sided platform.

Think Facebook for home improvement and you’ll get an idea what Kluje is all about. Deemed as a billion dollar industry, home improvement services are fast-growing in Singapore and Kluje plans to take a slice of that.

In an exclusive interview with Singapore Business Review, founder Jamey Merkel said “our platform will enable homeowners to hire contractors with larger degree of certainty, with the power of online ratings and a built history with the platform. This will enable us to create 'Better Quality Contractors', which will benefit the entire industry as a whole.”

He added, “we have had over S$500,000 worth of jobs posted on kuje.com and over 400 accounts created and that is only the first two months first 2 months. We can only see this accelerating as we ramp up our acquisition “

Asked what makes his startup unique, Merkel said “we fuse online lead generation, a closed review system with Social Media style connectivity. We allow contractors to easily find leads, homeowners to view and review rated contractors, in a social media type atmosphere. We are fully mobile responsive and empower you to manage your account on the go.”

After gaining ground in Singapore, Kluje eyes to tap other countries as well. That’s not bad for a home improvement startup that was once inspired by a horrible renovation experience.

Merkel concludes, “I had a bad renovation experience and then I met John Fearon, the founder of Gilcrux Holdings, and we started a conversation. The rest is history.”

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COMPANY PROFILE:

Name of the company: Kluje Pte Ltd
Founder: Jamey Merkel
Website: htpps://www.kluje.com
Major Investors: Crystal Horse Investments, Gilcrux Holdings
Total funding at hand: $250,000 SGD
Source of funding: private angel investor,
Start of operation: November 2013

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