Houzz.com, a platform for home remodeling and design, has raised $165 million in new financing.
The round was led by early partner Sequoia with participation from existing investors Oren Zeev, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), GGV Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), as well as new participants DST Global and T. Rowe Price.
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The company will use the investment to accelerate its international expansion and to further build its technology platform and products for both consumers and home professionals.
The company also announced the beta launch of the Houzz Marketplace, a marketplace for home products, and a redesign of its user experience.
Founded in 2009, Houzz declares that it provides people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. The company asserts that it connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. And that it has the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools.
“Since day one, we have been focused on creating the single best home renovation and design experience by bringing everything people need to improve their homes together under one roof, ” said Houzz Cofounder and CEO Adi Tatarko. “This focus has enabled us to grow organically to over 25 million monthly unique users around the world. We now have a tremendous opportunity to meet the enormous demand for our platform and make Houzz synonymous with the home on a global scale.”
The company also announced the beta launch of a home products marketplace to its community, which now has over one million products and materials available for purchase. With the Houzz Marketplace, the company says that it is closing the loop for users, so that people can get everything they need to renovate or design their home in a single place.
Houzz says that the new site simplifies the user experience, while keeping Houzz visually stunning and functional, and highlights the key actions people take on Houzz: get ideas, find a home professional and shop.
The design also incorporates a more prominent search function. Houzz has added filters so that people can browse its more than four million retina-quality photos by room layout, budget, size and specific features such as counter material, tile color and hardware finishes.
Houzz UK and Houzz Australia launched this summer and the company will launch its platform in France and Germany this fall.
