Aurica Capital Takes 49% Stake in Spanish Portal Alquiler Seguro, hires New Comms Director

Barcelona-based investment firm Aurica Capital has taken a 49% stake in rentals portal Alquiler Seguro for an undisclosed sum.

Alquiler Seguro (Rent Secure) is a rentals marketplace operator that offers rent collection and property management services for landlords; and on the other side, virtual visits and rent insurance for tenants. The portal is ubiquitous around Spain, with 52 offices nationwide and in excess of €116M in guaranteed rent paid in the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, Aurica Capital is a capital investment fund with over 20 years of experience nurturing Spanish companies as they expand nationally and internationally. The firm currently has over €450M invested in a portfolio of over 30 companies, including minority stakes in SMEs as well as an active interest in alternative assets.

Interestingly, no other real estate companies appear on Aurica Capital's website, so this may be the fund's first foray into real estate investment.

Martín Vargas, investment director at Aurica Capital, said:

"The decision to invest in Alquiler Seguro has been based on its solid positioning in the rental market.

"We are going to encourage and promote its future growth, convinced that our support combined with quality of its service and the value it brings to its clients will allow the company to reach its next stage of development."

Meanwhile, Alquiler Seguro has hired a new Director of Communications off the back of Aurica's investment.

Gerardo Neistat joins as part of a boardroom reshuffle. He previously held the same position at Alquiler Seguro between 2009-2018 before eventually opening his own freelance communications agency in August 2022.