# Cobu

> Cobu is a Boston-based proptech company that turns apartment residents into a real community - and turns that community into occupancy. Its resident-powered, AI-enabled platform runs building-wide chats, interest groups, in-person events, and always-on Google review and referral outreach, backed by a team of virtual community managers. For renters it fights isolation; for owners and operators it drives signed leases, higher renewals, better online reputation, and less busywork for on-site teams. Founded in 2018 as Doorbell, Cobu is used across dozens of U.S. states and by many of the country's largest multifamily operators.

- **Founded:** 2018
- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Ben Pleat (CEO & Co-Founder), Steve McLaughlin (COO & Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** ~18 employees
- **Products:** Cobu Community App, Virtual Community Managers, AI Moderation & Toxicity Filter, Always-On Google Review Outreach, Resident Referrals & Leasing Insights
- **Notable:** Trusted by a reported 9 of the top 10 NMHC operators, Deployed across 39 U.S. states, Cobu communities reporting renewal gains of up to 25%

## Products & services

- **Cobu Community App** — A resident app that auto-enrolls residents into a building-wide group plus optional interest groups (pet, running, foodie, and more) for virtual chats, in-person gatherings, polls, and raffles.
- **Virtual Community Managers** — A team of real people who help on-site teams moderate the Cobu community and design programming to boost engagement both in-app and in real life.
- **AI Moderation & Toxicity Filter** — AI-powered monitoring that keeps communities active, safe, and welcoming around the clock, flagging toxic content and surfacing sentiment.
- **Always-On Google Review Outreach** — Automated outreach that gathers Google reviews from happy residents to improve a property's online reputation.
- **Resident Referrals & Leasing Insights** — Tools that convert engaged residents into referral leases, higher website conversion, and resident experience analytics for operators.
- **Homebody Integration (with Entrata)** — A white-labeled version of Cobu's engagement platform embedded inside Entrata's Homebody resident app.

## Achievements

- Trusted by a reported 9 of the top 10 NMHC operators
- Deployed across 39 U.S. states
- Cobu communities reporting renewal gains of up to 25%
- ~60% average app adoption with ~53% of adopters actively engaged
- Graduated Techstars Boston (2020)
- March 2026 platform partnership with Entrata / Homebody

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Entrata expanded its Homebody resident app through a Cobu partnership to power AI-driven community engagement and leasing, with a white-labeled 24/7 moderated integration.
- **2023-01** — Published 'Community building: the key to conquering market challenges in 2023' with Sentral.

## Links

- Website: https://www.livecobu.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/livecobu
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/livecobu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livecobu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livecobu

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/cobu
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-06