In a candid interview, Kal Merhi, the visionary leader of iROOMit, shares his ambitious roadmap for 2025, focusing on pioneering innovations and strategic adaptability. As the market dynamics evolve, Merhi sheds light on how iROOMit plans to overcome potential challenges and leverage global trends to stay ahead in the sharing economy. With a mission to transform the way people find roommates and shared living spaces, iROOMit is setting the stage for a year marked by growth, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. Discover how Merhi’s forward-thinking approach is setting new milestones in an ever-competitive industry.
Interviewee Name: Kal Merhi
Company: iROOMit
The Interview
What inspired you to start your journey in this field, and how did it all begin?
Kal Merhi : Growing up, I went through some tough times. My family and I didn’t have a permanent place to live, moving from one abandoned home to another, just trying to make ends meet. That experience stuck with me. It made me realize how important it is to have a secure, stable home. It’s not just about finding a roof over your head, it’s about belonging, about feeling safe. That’s why I created iROOMit. I saw the struggles people were facing when it came to finding roommates and places to rent, and I knew there had to be a better way to help people find what they need, safely and easily.
What are your primary business goals for 2025?
Kal Merhi : iROOMit’s goal for 2025 is to expand the roommates and room rental market to Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE by mid-spring. By late summer to early fall, we aim to establish a strong presence in Western Europe, covering both Northern and Southern regions. Additionally, we strive to make our AI anti-scam system a powerhouse in fraud detection and prevention.
How do you plan to navigate potential challenges in the coming year?
Kal Merhi : Challenges come at us every single day. The key is to address them head-on. When a challenge pops up, I take a step back and think about how big it is. I take responsibility, never blame anyone else, and then figure out a solution. It’s all about staying calm, thinking things through, and creating systems to tackle these challenges. At iROOMit, we’ve faced our fair share, especially with the rise of scams and fraud. But we’ve got a zero-tolerance approach, and we’re doubling down on AI to keep our platform safe for everyone. We keep evolving and improving our systems to stay ahead of the game.
What innovations or changes are you implementing to stay ahead in your industry?
Kal Merhi : We’re always thinking about how to make things better. We’ve introduced AI-powered roommate matching to ensure people find the right fit—not just based on location or price but by looking at lifestyle compatibility. That’s the future. We’re also adding features like virtual tours and real-time communication to improve the experience. And we’re keeping security at the forefront, making sure we’re using AI to detect and block potential fraud before it even reaches the platform. It’s about evolving with the times and staying ahead of what’s needed in the market.
How are global trends influencing your strategic planning for 2025?
Kal Merhi : There are some big shifts happening globally. The rise in remote work and the increase in digital nomads are real game-changers. People are looking for flexibility, for housing solutions that fit their lifestyle. That’s why iROOMit is expanding its reach beyond big cities and into smaller towns and rural areas. We want to be the solution for everyone, no matter where they live. And with housing affordability being a growing concern, we’re making sure that iROOMit offers a smart, safe, and cost-effective way to find roommates and rooms to rent.
What milestones do you aim to achieve by the end of the year?
Kal Merhi : By the end of 2025, our key milestones are expanding into Western Europe and achieving our revenue target.
Leaders Perception magazine would like to thank Kal Merhi and “iROOMit” for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get a notification as soon as we launch a new interview series.