Stake, the network for renters that connects properties, financial services, and neighbourhoods through a Cash Back platform, has closed $8m in new debt and equity financing following 4x revenue growth in 2025, alongside the acquisition of Lighthouse and its subsidiary UMoveFree, the largest apartment locating platform in Texas.
The strategic financing was led by LAGO, with equity participants including RET Ventures, Bluefield Capital, Hamilton Ventures, Gaingels, Hub Angels, and Second Century Ventures, the venture capital arm of the National Association of Realtors.
The proceeds will be used to integrate and expand UMoveFree’s search and demand engine, scale Cash Back rental discovery into new markets, and accelerate product development across Stake’s renter savings platform.
The acquisition of UMoveFree positions Stake as the first vertically integrated, AI-powered renter network built entirely for renters, spanning apartment search through to lease signing, rent payments, lease renewal, and everyday financial wellness.
UMoveFree has previously served over 5 million renters and delivered more than $35m in Cash Back.
Stake’s expanded platform now includes Cash Back at lease signing through UMoveFree and participating property partners, Cash Back on rent via Stake Checking — an FDIC insured, renter-first bank account with no monthly fees, early paycheck access, and instant rewards — as well as Stake Credit Builder tools that report positive rent payments to major credit bureaus. For property partners, the platform includes Loyalty Cloud, a property performance dashboard, and Stake+, which drives targeted incentives such as concessions to renters.
Stake CEO and co-founder Rowland Hobbs said, “You can search for a deal on a hotel. You can search for a deal on a flight. But until now, you couldn’t reliably search for a deal on rent. With UMoveFree powered by Stake Cash Back, we’re making affordability visible at the start. Now renters can find Cash Back offers when they’re deciding where to live, not after they’ve already signed.”
UMoveFree co-founder and Stake general manager of Texas Mark Finney said, “Since 2004, UMoveFree has empowered renters by combining its online apartment marketplace with a hands-on, concierge approach provided by its in-house team of apartment experts. Now, with Stake, UMoveFree will expand its offerings into a full deal network—from search to savings.”
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