A first-hand experience of New York’s rental market inspired Smoove.

Antoine began his career in Transaction Services at EY in Paris before pursuing an MBA at NYU Stern, specializing in Finance & Real Estate. He subsequently worked in the real estate investment banking teams at Barclays and J.P. Morgan in London, before helping develop the US operations of consulting firm BM&A in New York.

Antoine first moved to New York as a student before returning a few years later for work. These two relocations gave him firsthand insight into the particularities of the New York rental market, especially the challenges of renting without a U.S. credit history and the significant upfront costs associated with broker fees and third-party guarantor services.

These experiences motivated the creation of Smoove: a simpler, more cost-effective approach to apartment hunting, designed to identify properties suited to international renters from the outset and, whenever possible, help them avoid the cost of a paid third-party guarantor.