Our Story
We've been building apps and startups since freshman year of college. Now, we're a team of college seniors and recent graduates, and what started as side projects evolved into ZoneIQ; the AI team for the built world. Read about how we got here below.
How We Got Here
Roommate Matchmaking App
Students needed help finding compatible roommates and housing. We built HouseFly AI, a machine-learning powered app that matched students based on lifestyle, preferences, and budget. We matched hundreds of roommate groups and began working with Boston-area brokers to help place them in off-campus housing.
Monetizing our Mobile App
As our roommate app gained traction, we established official partnerships with five Boston brokerages to connect users with trusted real estate professionals. After interviewing more than 100 brokers to assess their expertise, we curated the platform to feature only top-reviewed firms. We monetized through a blended subscription and commission model with our partner brokers.
AI SMS Assistant for Brokers
Working closely with our partner brokers revealed a major bottleneck: 20-30 hours weekly spent on manual lead follow-up and qualification. To solve this, we developed AI SMS assistants that integrated into broker’s workflows, automating the qualification process. The impact was immediate — brokers scaled their lead capacity while redirecting their time toward revenue-generating activities like property tours. Our cadence system eliminated lead leakage and improved conversion rates across our broker network.
Recognition and University Features
The Khoury College of Computer Science featured our AI SMS assistant in a news article and LinkedIn content, highlighting how we automated lead qualification for Boston real estate agents. Our work was also incorporated into Northeastern's AI course curriculum, where professors used HouseFly as a case study for applying machine learning to solve business problems. Check out the article here.
Scaling ZoneIQ
Through our broker partnerships, we connected with real estate developers and commercial brokers who kept asking for the same thing: help using AI to actually run their business. We pivoted to ZoneIQ, building our own CRE intelligence platform while simultaneously taking on custom AI and software projects for firms in our network. Early clients including EVO Real Estate, Horvath & Tremblay, BEKK Inc., and Avenue Capital Partners validated the model fast. What started as a single product grew into a full AI software team for the built world, now working with 15+ mid-market firms.
