The student housing property management industry in Europe has evolved rapidly, driven by heightened demand for accommodations tailored to students. Companies in this sector range from traditional property management firms to innovative tech startups that offer solutions like online booking and co-living spaces. They cater not only to domestic students but also to growing numbers of international learners. As urbanization and higher education enrollment rates increase, investments pour into developing modern, affordable accommodation while improving living experiences. The industry is also leaning toward sustainability, aligning with wider societal trends.


Our list features an array of investors from Europe, including venture capital firms, private equity groups, and corporate entities. These investors, headquartered in major financial hubs like Paris, Berlin, and London, range from small teams to large organizations with extensive resources. Founded between 1946 and 2015, they collectively made over 300 investments in the student housing sector in 2024 alone. Their active engagement signifies a robust interest in shaping the future of student accommodation throughout the continent.


Top 16 Student Housing Property Management Investors in Europe


1. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the student housing property management sector, including a Series A investment in Studapart, which raised $1,768,976 to enhance its platform for student housing. Additionally, Bpifrance provided debt financing to Koliving, a rental provider of co-living spaces, which aligns with the needs of students seeking affordable and communal living arrangements. These investments highlight Bpifrance's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the student housing market.


2. Picus Capital

  • Website: picuscap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 28
  • LinkedIn: picus-capital

Picus Capital is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in early-stage technology investments and partners with innovative startups across various sectors, including fintech and healthcare. Notably, Picus Capital has made significant investments in the co-living space, which is relevant to student housing. They participated in funding rounds for Habyt, a coliving company that has merged with competitors and operates over 5,000 units across multiple cities and countries. Additionally, they invested in Cove, a co-living startup based in Singapore, which aims to expand its room count and geographical footprint. These transactions highlight Picus Capital's engagement in the housing sector that caters to students and young professionals, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance to help these companies grow.


3. Lrg

  • Website: lrg.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Wokingham, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: leaders-romans-group

Leaders Romans Group (LRG) is a corporate property services company based in Wokingham, England, founded in 1983. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, LRG offers a comprehensive range of services including residential sales, lettings, property management, and development consultancy. They cater to landlords, tenants, property developers, and housing associations, providing expert guidance and tailored solutions to navigate the property market effectively. In recent years, LRG has expanded its operations through several strategic acquisitions, including City Lettings, Portico, Hose Rhodes Dickson, Lenwell, and Stanley & Partners. These acquisitions have enhanced LRG's presence in various regions and diversified their service offerings, positioning them as a significant player in the property management sector, which could include student housing management as part of their portfolio.


4. Lomond

  • Website: lomond.group
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: lomond-capital

Lomond is a corporate property management and real estate agency based in London, England, founded in 2010. The company specializes in lettings, sales, and investment management, catering to both businesses and consumers. Recently, Lomond has significantly expanded its portfolio through a series of strategic acquisitions. Notably, the acquisition of HOP Lettings and HOP Students in May 2024 added 861 residential properties, including 300 dedicated student properties, enhancing its footprint in the student housing market. This acquisition is part of Lomond's broader strategy to consolidate its position in the UK property industry, which also includes the acquisition of Centrick and other notable rental portfolios. Through these transactions, Lomond is not only growing its overall property management capabilities but also establishing a strong presence in the student housing sector.


5. Savills

  • Website: savills.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1855
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: savills

Savills plc is a leading real estate services company founded in 1855, headquartered in London, England. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Savills offers a comprehensive range of property-related services including asset management, consultancy, and investment advice. The firm has a global presence, catering to individual buyers, investors, and businesses. Notably, Savills has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its service offerings, such as the acquisition of Broadgate Estates, which expanded their property management services. Additionally, their acquisition of Smiths Gore and a Swiss real estate firm demonstrates their commitment to diversifying their portfolio and enhancing their capabilities in various real estate sectors. These transactions indicate Savills' potential involvement in managing student housing properties, even if it is not their sole focus.


6. Paragon Business Finance PLC


Paragon Business Finance PLC is a financial services company based in Hedge End, England, that offers a variety of banking products, including savings accounts, mortgages, and loans. Founded in 1982, the bank primarily serves individual consumers and businesses in the UK, providing tailored financial solutions to help customers achieve their financial goals. Notably, Paragon has been involved in several significant transactions in the property sector, particularly in student housing. For instance, they secured £18.85 million in funding for Urbanite's Clyde Court development in Glasgow, marking their third deal with Urbanite for PBSA projects. Additionally, they have engaged in various other property developments, such as funding for Hockley Developments Ltd's Sherwood Library project, which includes supported living accommodation. These transactions highlight Paragon's active role in the student housing market, making them a relevant investor in this sector.


7. Eurazeo

  • Website: eurazeo.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1969
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 40
  • LinkedIn: eurazeo

Eurazeo is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, private debt, and real assets. Founded in 1969, the firm has established a significant presence in the investment management landscape across Europe. Eurazeo provides tailored investment strategies aimed at fostering growth and expansion in various sectors, including technology and healthcare. Notably, Eurazeo has made strategic investments in the education sector, acquiring the Glion Institute of Higher Education in June 2016, which aligns with student housing interests. Furthermore, their acquisition of a 44% stake in Emerige, a leading property developer in France, highlights their involvement in real estate, potentially including student housing developments. Their recent venture funding activities, such as investments in Colonies and Cove, also indicate a commitment to innovative property solutions, which may extend to student housing.


8. Axel Springer

  • Website: axelspringer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1946
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: axel-springer-se

Axel Springer SE is a prominent media company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. It specializes in publishing news and digital media, operating a diverse portfolio of brands such as BILD and Business Insider. The company is committed to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. In recent years, Axel Springer has also ventured into the proptech sector, notably investing in Wunderflats, a platform for temporary furnished housing. This investment includes participation in multiple funding rounds, such as a Series B round in 2019 and a Series C round in 2021, which collectively raised significant capital to expand the platform's reach in Europe. Additionally, Axel Springer has invested in Vermietet.de, a platform that may also intersect with housing management. These transactions highlight Axel Springer's interest in the housing market, particularly in solutions that could cater to students and young professionals seeking flexible living arrangements.


9. Countrywide

  • Website: countrywide.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1986
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: countrywide-plc

Countrywide is a prominent property services company based in Milton Keynes, England, founded in 1986. With a workforce of 5,001 to 10,000 employees, Countrywide offers a comprehensive range of services including estate agency, surveying, mortgages, and insurance. The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its presence in the lettings market, such as the acquisition of Finders Keepers, an Oxford-based lettings agency managing over 2,400 properties, which aligns with their goal to expand in the private rental sector. Additionally, their acquisition of Lighthouse Property Services and Blundells further demonstrates their commitment to growing their lettings network. These transactions indicate that Countrywide is actively involved in property management, including sectors that may encompass student housing.


10. Octopus Ventures

  • Website: octopusventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 37
  • LinkedIn: octopus-ventures

Octopus Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2008, specializing in backing founders and startups across diverse sectors such as B2B Software, Bio, Climate, Consumer, Deep Tech, Fintech, and Health. They provide funding and strategic support to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of building and scaling their businesses. Notably, Octopus Ventures has invested in Uniplaces, a Portuguese startup that operates a student accommodation booking platform, participating in both Seed and Series A funding rounds. This involvement highlights their engagement in the student housing sector. Additionally, they have invested in Homesearch, a British PropTech company, which aims to enhance property data, further indicating their interest in the property management industry. These transactions illustrate Octopus Ventures' relevance in the context of student housing property management.


11. AXA IM ALTS - Real Assets


AXA IM Alts is an investment management firm specializing in alternative asset classes, focusing on delivering sustainable value through investments in real estate, private debt, infrastructure, and impact projects. With a global presence and a commitment to ESG principles, AXA IM Alts aims to create long-term value for its stakeholders. Notably, they have recently entered the student housing market with the acquisition of the Vita Student Lewisham Exchange, a 758-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Lewisham, Southeast London. This acquisition marks their first foray into the PBSA sector and aligns with their sustainability strategy. In addition to this, AXA IM Alts has been active in other real estate sectors, acquiring multifamily assets in the U.S. and a research and development facility in Germany, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio while also emphasizing their commitment to sectors that can provide competitive returns and responsible investment solutions.


12. Places for People

  • Website: placesforpeople.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1965
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: placesforpeople

Places for People is a not-for-profit organization based in London, England, founded in 1965. They focus on property management, community development, and leisure services, providing a variety of housing options, including rentals and supported living. In 2017, Places for People made a strategic move into the student accommodation market by acquiring Derwent Living, which significantly enhanced their portfolio to over 182,000 homes and established their presence in the student housing sector. They also launched PfP Capital, a fund management arm, to enhance their investment in property assets, further demonstrating their commitment to property management. Other acquisitions, such as Touchstone and ZeroC Holding, reflect their broader strategy in the housing market, but the Derwent Living acquisition is particularly relevant to student housing management.


13. Ldc

  • Website: ldc.co.uk
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: ldc

Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Limited, commonly known as LDC, is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. In 2023, LDC made a notable investment in UniHomes, a company that focuses on providing housing solutions for students, indicating their engagement in the student housing market. Additionally, LDC has invested in Linley & Simpson, a Leeds-based estate agency group, which may also have implications for student housing through its property management services. Their investment strategy emphasizes fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success, which is crucial in the competitive landscape of student housing property management.


14. Partech

  • Website: partechpartners.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1982
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 24
  • LinkedIn: partech

Partech Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 1982, based in Paris, Île-De-France, France. The firm specializes in providing funding and support to startups across various sectors, particularly in technology. Partech focuses on helping founders navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses through investment and strategic advisory services. They operate globally with a diverse portfolio of companies. Notably, Partech has invested in Ukio, which raised €27M in a Series A funding round to expand its apartment portfolio, indicating a focus on the rental market. Additionally, they invested in PropertyScout, a proptech startup that secured $5 million in Series A funding to scale its business model in property management, further demonstrating their engagement in the property management sector. These transactions highlight Partech's interest in companies that could impact the student housing market.


15. Naxicap Partners

  • Website: naxicap.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: naxicap-partners

Naxicap Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity and growth capital investments, focusing on mid-cap and small-cap companies across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and real estate. Naxicap Partners provides financial resources and strategic support to help businesses scale and enhance their market presence. Notably, they have invested in Hello Syndic, a new generation property manager that raised 21 million euros in May 2023 to accelerate its expansion in France. This investment highlights Naxicap's engagement in the property management sector, which is relevant to student housing. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other real estate-related companies, indicating a broader interest in the real estate market.


16. HV Capital

  • Website: hvcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 28
  • LinkedIn: hvventures

HV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2000. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit. The firm has been actively involved in the coliving sector, which intersects with student housing. Notably, HV Capital participated in the Series B funding round for Habyt, a coliving company that operates over 5,000 units across multiple cities and countries, indicating a strong presence in the shared living space market. Additionally, their investments in homefully, which has raised funds through various rounds, further demonstrate their engagement in the property management sector relevant to students. These transactions highlight HV Capital's strategic focus on companies that cater to the needs of students and young professionals in urban environments.



Student Housing Property Management Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Picus CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-50201528
LrgWokingham, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019833
LomondLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-5000201010
SavillsLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+18555
Paragon Business Finance PLCHedge End, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019826
EurazeoParis, Île-De-France, France201-500196940
Axel SpringerBerlin, Berlin, Germany10001+19461
CountrywideMilton Keynes, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000019860
Octopus VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200200837
AXA IM ALTS - Real AssetsIssy-Les-Moulineaux, Île-De-France, France1-103
Places for PeopleLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19652
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115
PartechParis, Île-De-France, France51-200198224
Naxicap PartnersParis, Île-De-France, France51-20020050
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028


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