US rental marketplace raises $2.8m seed funding

Big Rentals, a Los Angeles-based online marketplace for equipment rental, has raised US$2.8 million in seed funding to accelerate its expansion into construction and heavy equipment.

The business, co-founded in 2023 by CEO Pablo Fernandez, has previously focused on trailer rentals through its rental partners, and said it would now expand into construction equipment “building on strong traction in the category” through its existing network.

The funding will also support Big Rentals’ sister division, HQRent, a software business which provides independent rental businesses with technology to operate online by managing bookings, payments and fleet operations.

Big Rentals will expand its online marketplace to cover construction equipment.

“For too long, local rental companies and small business owners have had to stitch together outdated tools, paper, and spreadsheets,” said Pablo Fernandez.

“We put the same technology used by national chains into the hands of independent operators, making it easy and affordable for anyone to start and scale a professional rental business.”

Fernandez, who began his career as a software developer, is also CEO of Roadmoto, a bricks and mortar trailer rental business in California.

The new investment was led by SNAK Venture Partners, with support from Ironspring Ventures, Forum Ventures, Jason Calacanis ‘ LAUNCH Fund and NuFund Venture Group.

Sonia Nagar, co-founder of SNAK Venture Partners, who will join the Big Rentals board, said; “Big Rentals is transforming an overlooked yet essential backbone of our economy.

“Pablo and the team are building a category-defining marketplace, and we’re thrilled to back a founder who combines deep industry insight with a software-first mindset.”

Big Rentals is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN.