Kasa, a tech-enabled hospitality brand and operator of boutique hotels and apartment-style lodging, has raised $40m in growth funding from Silver Lake Waterman (SLW). The investment will accelerate development of Kasa’s AI-driven hospitality operating system, which is designed to improve property performance, enhance guest experience, and increase profitability for real estate owners.
Kasa’s proprietary platform centralises operations and applies AI and automation to functions such as pricing, guest communications, and property management. This allows the company to run properties more efficiently than traditional hotel operators.
“We are building a better way to operate hospitality properties: lighter, smarter and more profitable. This funding enables us to expand the systems that deliver stronger results for our partners and provide independent hoteliers access to the type of technology and infrastructure once reserved for the largest global brands.”
Roman Pedan, Founder and CEO, Kasa
The approach has gained significant traction with institutional real estate owners. Kasa now serves as the exclusive short-term rental partner for half of the 20 largest multifamily owners in the US, including Starwood Capital, Berkshire, Prudential and Greystar.
The company has also surpassed $100m in annual booking revenue, more than doubling its business in the past year.
Kasa currently manages 85 properties across 45 US markets, with boutique hotels representing one of its fastest-growing segments. Over 35 boutique properties have joined the portfolio across 20 markets, and guest satisfaction has remained strong. Properties such as Kasa Little Italy (San Diego), Kasa Magnificent Mile (Chicago), Kasa Union Station (Denver), and Kasa Maverick (Pittsburgh) rank at the top of their respective TripAdvisor categories.
Silver Lake Waterman highlighted Kasa’s ability to address long-standing challenges in the hospitality sector.
“Kasa has a clear understanding of the challenges facing hotel owners. Their platform delivers scalability, personalisation, and operational excellence, without the rigidity of legacy hotel brands. We are excited to support Roman and his team in scaling their technology-first approach.”
Shawn O’Neill, Managing Director, Silver Lake Waterman
Founded by executives from KKR, Apollo, Goldman Sachs and Airbnb, Kasa blends institutional expertise with technology-driven scalability. With fresh funding in place, the company aims to strengthen its position as a preferred operating partner for real estate owners seeking better returns and elevated guest experiences.
