Wimduand9flatscombineintooneshorttermrentalcompany

The two largest European-founded companies that have aspired to be Airbnb alternatives — Wimdu and 9flats — are combining.

The unified business says it will host nearly 500,000 short-term rental properties in 140 countries.

Roman Bach, 9flats CEO, will be CEO of the combined entity. Wimdu’s lead managers, Arne Kahlke and Sören Kress, are stepping aside. In February 2015, Kahlke and Kress had replaced cofounders Arne Bleckwenn and Hinrich Dreiling.

Bach says the combined operation will create the largest European peer-to-peer accommodation rental platform.

But, as context, US-based short-term rental giant Airbnb will still be processing more short-term rental transactions in Europe per month than any other company, according to statements by the privately held company.