Named one of Forbes’ 30-Under-30 in 2015, American entrepreneur and investor Ankur Jain established his global reputation as a co-founder of Humin, an app that was later acquired by Tinder. Today, the 32-year-old oversees Bilt Rewards, the first-ever loyalty program that awards points to users for their rental payments and neighborhood spending.
Seeing the financial challenges of renters living in New York, Jain wanted to create a pathway for them to eventually become homeowners.
“The idea that you rent for many years but get no closer to homeownership made no sense,” the Bilt Rewards founder and CEO told INC. magazine.
Launched in June 2021, Bilt Rewards boasts one of the highest-value rewards programs in the market today, offering one-to-one point transfers across more than 100 major airline and hotel partners. The program also includes fitness studios and exclusive, limited-edition artworks and home decor through the Bilt Collection. Earned points can be used towards rental payments or a downpayment on a future home .
Bilt partnered with Mastercard and Wells Fargo to create the Bilt Mastercard, the first and only credit card that can be used to pay rent with no fees charged.
“In 2022, we announced a valuation of $1.5 billion following a $150 million growth round to advance our loyalty program and credit card for renters,” he said.
Reflecting on his professional history, Jain advises fellow entrepreneurs to persist through setbacks, citing Bilt's success in securing partnerships with major landlord groups like AvalonBay Communities and Related Companies.
“We've created something that benefits everyone involved. It's about turning everyday transactions into meaningful opportunities for financial growth and stability,” said Jain, who is focused on expanding Bilt’s coverage and further empowering renters across the United States.
