Kocomo

Kocomo is a proptech platform based in Mexico that facilitates fractional co-ownership of luxury vacation homes, allowing multiple individuals to purchase, own, and sell shares in properties while splitting associated costs and management responsibilities. The company handles comprehensive legal, administrative, and maintenance logistics for co-owners, encompassing property acquisition, utilities management, landscaping, and preventive maintenance. Kocomo has secured $56 million in total funding, consisting of $50 million in debt financing and $6 million in equity, earmarked for acquiring approximately 20 new homes and expanding operations into key Mexican destinations like Los Cabos, Punta Mita, and Tulum, as well as the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and South Florida. Notable investors include ALLVP, Vine Ventures, Picus Capital, Fontes fund members, and Architect Capital. The platform primarily targets American and Canadian customers seeking vacation properties. Kocomo was founded in 2021 by Martin Schrimpff, Brian Requarth, Graciela Arango, and Tom Baldwin.

# Kocomo: A Proptech Platform for Fractional Luxury Home Ownership

High-Level Overview

Kocomo is a proptech marketplace that enables individuals to purchase, own, and sell fractional interests in luxury vacation properties[2]. Founded in 2021 and based in Mexico City, the company targets Americans and Canadians seeking affordable entry into vacation home ownership across Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and eventually Europe[2].

The platform solves a fundamental problem: vacation home ownership has traditionally required substantial capital and ongoing management burden. Kocomo's model allows co-owners to share both the purchase price and operational costs while maintaining genuine real estate ownership that appreciates in value[5]. The company handles all legal, administrative, and property management responsibilities—from acquisition and co-owner vetting to utilities, landscaping, and maintenance[2].

Origin Story

Kocomo emerged from founder Martin Schrimpff's personal frustration with the inconsistency and lack of professional management in short-term rental experiences like Airbnb[2]. The founding team is internationally diverse, comprising Colombian, British, Mexican, American, and Panamanian co-founders[2]. The company launched in 2021 and operated in stealth mode starting in May of that year before releasing a beta version to select waitlist clients[2].

The startup quickly gained investor confidence, closing $6 million in equity financing and $50 million in debt financing by August 2021[2]. This capital influx reflected strong market validation for the fractional real estate ownership model.

Core Differentiators

• End-to-end management: Unlike competitors, Kocomo assumes complete responsibility for legal processes, property acquisition, co-owner allocation, and ongoing maintenance[2]
• True ownership structure: Co-owners hold genuine real estate interests that appreciate like standard residential property, with the ability to sell or transfer stakes[5]
• Transparent pricing: The platform emphasizes straightforward costs and quick acquisition timelines (weeks rather than months)[5]
• Educational positioning: Beyond marketplace functionality, Kocomo operates as a resource hub comparing co-ownership providers and educating consumers about the model[5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Kocomo rides the convergence of three powerful trends: the fractional ownership movement (democratizing access to alternative assets), the proptech revolution (applying technology to real estate), and the experiential economy (where vacation properties represent lifestyle investments rather than pure financial plays).

The timing is particularly favorable. Rising property prices have priced out middle-class buyers from vacation home markets, while remote work has increased demand for flexible vacation properties. Kocomo's model addresses this gap by reducing capital requirements and eliminating management friction—two primary barriers to vacation home ownership.

The company's influence extends beyond individual transactions; it legitimizes fractional real estate as a mainstream investment category and establishes operational standards (professional management, transparent pricing, legal clarity) that elevate the entire co-ownership sector[2].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Kocomo is positioned at the intersection of real estate democratization and lifestyle investing. As the company expands from Latin America into Europe and potentially other regions, it will likely face competition from established players like Pacaso while establishing itself as the educational authority on co-ownership[2].

The key to sustained growth lies in execution: maintaining property quality, managing co-owner experiences, and scaling operations across multiple jurisdictions with different legal frameworks. If successful, Kocomo could transform vacation home ownership from an exclusive luxury into an accessible wealth-building tool for the global middle class—fundamentally reshaping how people think about second properties.