Shubha Lal and Nidhi Kumra: Navigating Storms and Paving the Way for Student Housing Growth

The educational landscape witnessed unprecedented disruptions over the last two years, with empty classrooms and deserted campuses becoming a nightmare for many. For student housing businesses, this scenario posed a significant threat, challenging their very existence. Among the start-ups grappling with the challenges of multiple lockdowns was Your-Space, a Delhi-based venture founded in 2016 by Shubha Lal and Nidhi Kumra. The start-up specializes in providing safe and quality accommodation for college and university students around campus areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges to Your-Space, requiring the founders to navigate uncharted territory. The sudden lockdown in March 2020 prompted the start-up to focus on survival, adopting strategies to weather the storm. With lockdowns affecting student mobility and occupancy rates plummeting, the founders were compelled to keep some hostels operational in select cities to accommodate students unable to return home.

Nidhi Kumra reflects on the initial months of the pandemic, emphasizing the need to prioritize staff safety and facilitate students’ journeys back to their hometowns. The uncertainties surrounding the duration of the pandemic added to the challenges, making it a particularly stressful period for the founders.

The operational team faced critical challenges during the initial phase of the pandemic. Your-Space decided to adapt to the evolving COVID-19 protocols, ensuring the safety of its facilities and residents. The startup collaborated with Portea, a home healthcare service provider, to align with health protocols and provide easy access to medical care for students.

As the situation improved toward the end of 2020, students began returning, prompting Your-Space to reopen more hostels. However, the second wave in 2021 necessitated additional measures. The start-up converted some of its hostels into makeshift accommodation for hospital staff during the peak of the second wave, demonstrating its commitment to community welfare.

Amid the uncertainties and challenges posed by the pandemic, Your-Space maintained its growth trajectory. The start-up expanded its operational capacity from a modest 77-bed girls’ hostel in Greater Noida to over 10,000 beds across multiple cities. The founders, Shubha Lal and Nidhi Kumra, underscore the importance of making tough cost decisions, including salary cuts and operational adjustments, to sustain the business.

Despite the disruptions, Your-Space utilized the lull in student housing demand to strengthen its core. The start-up focused on improving its product, services, technology, and operational procedures, using the downtime as an opportunity for strategic enhancement.

With the vaccination rollout for the 18+ age group, colleges gradually began reopening in late 2021. The start-up found renewed confidence as colleges resumed offline classes, signalling a positive shift. Shubha Lal emphasizes that the start-up’s anticipation of the temporary nature of online education and the eventual return to campus life played a pivotal role in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Looking ahead, Your-Space is poised for further expansion. The startup aims to increase its bed capacity to over 20,000 by July 2022, targeting the upcoming academic year. While acknowledging the difficulties faced during the pandemic, Shubha and Nidhi express optimism about the future. They highlight the growing demand for organized housing and the increased emphasis on safety, hygiene, and clean living spaces among students.

As colleges and universities gradually reopen, Your-Space envisions a bright future for student housing. The start-up plans to diversify its presence, expanding beyond metros to educational hubs like Dehradun, Pune, and Mangalore. Despite the challenges, the founders believe in the resilience of the student housing segment and the enduring need for quality accommodation services.