A fed-up student is taking on the chaotic housing market with an innovative AI-driven platform. Daniel Virin, a 22-year-old University of Bristol student, launched Cribster to solve the nightmare of finding compatible flatmates. Virin experienced firsthand the cutthroat Bristol housing scene and decided to build a solution.
Cribster’s algorithm uses factors like budget, location, hobbies, and values to connect students. The goal is to create harmonious living situations, maximize housing occupancy, and ease the pressure on student lettings. Shriya Pillay, another Bristol student, highlights the frantic rush to secure housing early in the academic year.
Virin emphasizes that a good living situation is crucial for a student’s well-being. Cribster aims to provide a ‘safe space’ free from the stress of incompatible housemates. The desperation in the housing market can make students vulnerable to scams on untrustworthy platforms, Virin added.
Jovan Navjee, a Cribster user, vouches for the platform’s success, having formed lasting friendships with his AI-matched flatmates. His positive experience shows that the right flatmates can make a huge difference in student life.
Virin’s project secured £4,500 in funding from the University of Bristol. He’s now developing a Cribster app with his engineer twin brother. Mark Neild, innovation professor, praised Virin’s ‘solution-focused entrepreneurship’ and the platform’s value in tackling student well-being. Virin previously won an award for innovation by addressing a critical element of student wellbeing.