ZenniHome

America needs six-and-a-half million new homes to meet demand.

ZenniHome has a solution. This company is targeting the two-trillion-dollar U.S. housing market by building robotic smart-homes.

These homes — a type of accessory dwelling unit, or ADU — range in size from 320 to 640 square feet. They’re built entirely in a factory and delivered on-location to the homeowner’s destination. And here’s what’s unique: instead of static floor plans, ZenniHome units come equipped with transformative, robotic furniture — think bed frames and bookcases that can move throughout the homes. This creates dynamic living spaces and a type of home unlike anything else available.

ZenniHome has impressive credentials. CEO Bob Worsley is a former State Senator from Arizona, and took two companies public. He also founded SkyMall, the company that produced the popular in-flight shopping magazines, and sold the company to Rupert Murdoch. Worsley was also named 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young.

Additionally, ZenniHome raised six million dollars in a previous funding round. This round was led by Caliber, a financial-services company focused on commercial real estate.

While ZenniHome units sound like something from the future, their real appeal may boil down to their efficiency. Notably, ZenniHome units are designed to be eighty-six percent more efficient than typical resale homes.

There are two models: the Denizen and the Citizen. The Denizen is 320 square feet and starts at $90,000, and the Citizen is 640 square feet and starts at $125,000.

Each unit can be a stand-alone home or serve as building blocks for larger developments. By stacking base units, the company can create multi-unit developments it calls “ZenCity.”

If you’re interested in a ZenniHome, here’s how the process works:

First, the company builds your home at its Arizona-based factory. By building units on an assembly line in a controlled environment, ZenniHome eliminates weather delays, streamlines trade schedules, and ensures precise construction.

While your home is being built, you’ll be responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and preparing your site.

Next, ZenniHome delivers the home directly to you. Shipping costs are four dollars per mile for Denizen and eight dollars per mile for Citizen.

Finally, once your home is delivered, it can be set up on-site in a matter of days. Each home arrives as two modules equipped with all finishes completed. This includes flooring, paint, cabinets, appliances, and bathroom fixtures.

ZenniHome has received forty “soft orders” — an intention from a customer to purchase — and its first units are installed and operable. The company projects to generate twenty-three million dollars in revenue this year and seventy million dollars in revenue next year.

Team Background

Bob Worsley - Co-Founder & CEO

Bob is a successful entrepreneur who also served as a State Senator representing Arizona.

Early in his career, he was an audit manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers, an accounting firm. He then founded SkyMall, the company that produced popular in-flight shopping magazines. SkyMall was eventually acquired by Rupert Murdoch.

Following his time in politics, Bob founded Novo Power, an energy company focused on renewable-energy sources. He also founded NZ Legacy, a company focused on minerals and renewable-energy development. In total, Bob has founded roughly a dozen companies in this space, becoming one of the largest owners of fee land and fee mineral rights in the nation.

He holds an Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from BYU.

Trevor Barger - Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer

Trevor is an urban planning and community design leader. In addition to his role with ZenniHome, he is a principal at Arizona Strategies, a law firm specializing in land-use rights and real-estate strategies. He’s also President and CEO of Espiritu Loci, a Phoenix-based planning and development assistance firm.

Additionally, Trevor serves on the faculty at Arizona State University’s School of Design. He’s also on the faculty at The School of Architecture at Taliesin in Mayer, Arizona.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Design, Housing and Urban Development from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Arizona.

Stephen James - Co-Founder & Board Director

Stephen is an experienced designer and architect.

In addition to his role with ZenniHome, he is Senior Vice President of Planning and Community Design with a design firm. Previously, he was Director of Design with Daybreak Communities, a real-estate development company.

Before that, he was a planning manager with Rio Tinto, a similar design and development group. Prior to that, he was Director of Design with Design West Architecture.

Stephen studied Industrial Design at BYU, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies at the University of Utah, and a Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Minnesota.

Co-Investors