Mentor Spotlight – Tommaso Montagni ‘17

Tommaso Montagni: From International at Colby to Real Estate Tech Innovator and Mentor
Tommaso Montagni, co-founder of the real estate technology startup Rubik, is one of the many brilliant Halloran Lab mentors that have generously offered their time to help current student entrepreneurs in their projects. His journey from an international student from Italy at Colby College to a successful entrepreneur in New York City is a testament to determination, adaptability, and leveraging the power of a strong network.
Rubik, Tommaso’s current venture, is a marketplace for single-family homes, connecting sellers with investors. This innovative platform facilitates quick sales for homeowners, especially those whose properties need repairs, and provides lucrative opportunities for investors looking to renovate, resell or rent out homes.
Rubik’s evolution over the past few years reflects the dynamic nature of the real estate market and Tommaso’s ability to pivot and adapt. His journey has seen significant shifts in the real estate market. Initially focused on institutional investors, Rubik has adapted to cater to smaller buyers as market conditions changed. This flexibility has been vital to the company’s continued success. Looking ahead, Tommaso sees the industry moving towards build-to-rent models, increasing housing stock through new constructions rather than just buying existing homes.
Rewinding ten years, Tommaso’s entrepreneurial journey began in his first month at Colby. Alongside two fellow international students, Amar Šehić and Krenar Roka, he founded PackMules, a delivery service connecting local Waterville stores with Colby students. The idea was born out of necessity—Colby’s campus had little connection to downtown Waterville at that time. PackMules thrived for four years, laying the foundation for Tommaso’s future ventures.
After graduating, Tommaso and his co-founders opted to dive deeper into entrepreneurship. They pooled their resources, moved to New York, and began working for real estate investment and brokerage firms. Their hard work and resilience paid off when they entered an accelerator program, securing $100,000 in funding. Leveraging Colby’s strong alumni network, they later raised an additional $800,000, followed by a $3.5 million round, significantly fueling Rubik’s growth.
Tommaso’s story is not just about business success; it’s also about giving back. As a mentor with the Halloran Lab, he aims to support aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly international students who face unique challenges of gaining credibility, finding a network, and immigration challenges. He reflects, “Colby has given me everything I’ve had till now,” emphasizing his gratitude and fueling his commitment to helping students navigate their entrepreneurial paths.
His advice for student entrepreneurs is grounded in his own experiences. Tommaso highlights the importance of having a strong team, noting that his co-founders, whom he met at Colby, have been crucial to his success. He also underscores the value of resilience, customer engagement, and staying attuned to industry changes. He reflects on his own story when the venture had to pivot a few times before gaining such great traction, stressing the need for perseverance and adaptability.
As a mentor, Tommaso offers valuable insights into fundraising, product development, and immigration issues. He encourages students to reach out, whether through email, phone, or booking a time on his calendar. His key criterion for mentees is passion. “You don’t have to have an idea. You just need to be passionate about entrepreneurship and want to do something,” he says.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Tommaso’s advice is straightforward: “Just go do it.” He emphasizes the unique opportunity that college students have, with nothing to lose and a wealth of potential learning experiences. Engaging with customers, being passionate, and diving into the entrepreneurial journey are crucial steps. He believes that the hands-on experience of entrepreneurship can be an incredible learning opportunity. Tommaso’s success is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with passion, resilience, and a supportive network.
RAPID FIRE:
Favorite professor or classes? “Leo Livshits and George Welch. Both Math. They taught my favorite classes even though they were probably the hardest. I remember during exams Leo would bring a 20 sided dice and everyone would get one of the questions.“
Favorite Colby memory? “International orientation meeting my co-founders, I would say.”
Favorite dining hall? “I think it would have to be Foss because I lived there too so I was always just a door away.”
Interview by Nida Fatima ’24.