I've always been fascinated by startups that solve real problems. Not the kind of problems that VCs think people have, but the kind that actually make people's lives difficult. Deicasa is one of those.
What is it?
Deicasa is a web platform for landlords who own a handful of properties. We're not talking about real estate tycoons here, but regular people who might have inherited a couple of buildings or invested their savings in a few rental units.
The idea came from a classic source of startup ideas: something that annoys you. I was frustrated with updating spreadsheets to manage family properties. It's the kind of mundane problem that doesn't sound exciting, but that's often where the best opportunities lie.
Why it matters
Property management software isn't new. But most of it is designed for large property management companies. It's overkill for someone who just owns a few units. It's like trying to kill a fly with a bazooka.
Deicasa fills this gap. It's for the landlords who are too big to manage everything with a notebook, but too small to need enterprise software. In the startup world, we often talk about "niche" markets, but this is actually a pretty big niche. There are a lot of small landlords out there, especially in places like India and Asia where real estate is a popular investment.
Traction and technology
Deicasa is currently in private beta, managing properties valued at tens of millions of dollars. While this may seem modest compared to large property management companies, it's a promising start. Having a small group of highly engaged users is often more valuable than a larger user base with lukewarm interest.
The technology stack - Next.js, React, Tailwind CSS, Supabase, Llama 3.1 on Groq Inc.
What's next?
I have hit a point that's common in the startup world. I solved my immediate problem, and for now, that's enough. As I've often see, the best startups come from solving your own or others problems. But what happens when that problem is solved?
This is a crossroads many founders face. You've built something useful, but you're not sure if you want to turn it into a full-fledged company. It's like you've cooked a great meal for yourself and a few friends, and now you're wondering if you should open a restaurant.
But the potential is there. The list of possible future features includes:
- Mobile app for on-the-go property management
- Banking integration for seamless financial tracking
The question is whether to pursue it or let it remain a useful tool for a small group.
Try it out
While Deicasa is currently in private beta, interested landlords can sign up for the waitlist at https://deicasa.com.
Future Directions
This is a crucial decision point for Deicasa. The key, as always, is to make something people want. Deicasa seems to be doing that, even if it's for a small group right now. And sometimes, that's enough. Not every startup needs to become a unicorn. Sometimes, solving a real problem for a specific group of people is valuable in itself.
That's the beauty of startups. You start by scratching your own itch, and you might end up building something that helps thousands or millions of people. Or you might just build a useful tool for yourself and a few others. Either way, you've made something valuable. And that's what startups are all about.