India’s residential rental market, long dominated by brokers and fragmented offline networks, is gradually moving toward structured, tech-enabled platforms. Enter Helium, a startup focused on simplifying rentals within gated communities, which has raised ₹5 crore in an angel funding round.
The round saw participation from prominent startup founders and operators, including Albinder Dhindsa, Kunal Shah, Pankaj Chaddah, Mohit Gupta, Akriti Chopra, Gunjan Patidar, and Nitin Gupta.
Building a Full-Stack Rental Platform
Founded by Sahil Ludhani and Ashutosh Tandon, Helium operates a full-stack rental model that directly connects homeowners and tenants while managing the entire lifecycle of renting.
Unlike traditional listing platforms, Helium:
- Works directly with property owners
- Offers guaranteed rental income
- Handles tenant onboarding and relationship management
- Manages operations end-to-end
This approach aims to eliminate inefficiencies and bring predictability and trust into the rental experience.
Targeting Gated Community Housing
Helium’s core focus lies in gated society apartments, a segment that remains significantly under-digitised despite growing demand.
The company highlights that a limited portion of such homes is currently listed online, with most transactions still happening through brokers or informal networks.
By onboarding supply directly from homeowners, Helium is working to unlock this hidden inventory and bring it onto a structured digital platform.
Introducing ‘Deposit Saver’ for Tenants
One of Helium’s key innovations is its Deposit Saver product, designed to reduce the upfront financial burden on tenants.
Traditionally, rental deposits in India can range from 3 to 10 months of rent, often acting as a barrier to mobility. Helium’s solution:
- Allows tenants to move in with deposits as low as one month’s rent
- Links deposits to users’ credit profiles
- Facilitates the remaining deposit through NBFC partners
- Ensures homeowners still receive the full deposit amount
This model aims to create a win-win scenario for both tenants and property owners.
Early Traction in Bengaluru
Helium launched its operations in Whitefield, Bengaluru, around six months ago and has already onboarded approximately 170 homes.
The platform reports an average rental cycle of 14 days, indicating strong demand and operational efficiency in matching tenants with properties.
Expansion Plans Ahead
The fresh capital will be used to:
- Expand across Bengaluru
- Increase supply in gated communities
- Strengthen its full-stack rental infrastructure
As urban housing demand continues to rise, particularly in metro cities, Helium is positioning itself to scale rapidly within high-demand residential clusters.
The Road Ahead
India’s rental housing market is ripe for disruption, especially in premium segments like gated communities where trust, convenience, and transparency are critical.
By combining a full-stack model, fintech-enabled deposit solutions, and a focused supply strategy, Helium is aiming to redefine how rentals are discovered, transacted, and managed.
With backing from experienced startup operators and a clear product-market fit emerging in Bengaluru, the company is well-placed to play a key role in the next phase of India’s proptech evolution.
By : Vanshika Tayal
