SmartRent Targets Untapped Market with New Reseller Program
- 1.2 million units supported by SmartRent's solutions
- 900,000 IoT devices deployed across North America
- $237 million in total revenue for 2023, up 41% from the previous year
Experts would likely conclude that SmartRent's new reseller program is a strategic move to expand its market reach, making smart technology more accessible to small and mid-market rental housing operators, while leveraging financial strength and proven partnerships to drive growth.
SmartRent Targets Untapped Market with New Reseller Program
PHOENIX, AZ – April 27, 2026 – SmartRent, Inc., a prominent provider of smart technology for the rental housing industry, has announced a significant expansion of its go-to-market strategy with the launch of a strategic value-added reseller (VAR) program. This initiative is designed to penetrate the vast and historically underserved small and mid-market rental housing sector, with long-time installation partner SKBM Smart Technology named as the program's inaugural member.
The move signals a calculated pivot for the company, which has built a dominant position among the largest multifamily property owners and operators in North America. By leveraging a network of specialized resellers, SmartRent aims to accelerate its growth, extend its reach, and make its comprehensive suite of smart home and property management solutions accessible to a much broader segment of the market.
A Strategic Pivot to Untapped Territory
Since its founding in 2017, SmartRent has focused on enterprise-level clients, successfully deploying its technology across portfolios of top-tier operators. The company currently supports 1.2 million units with its maintenance and leasing solutions and has deployed over 900,000 Internet of Things (IoT) devices, establishing a strong foothold with 15 of the top 20 largest multifamily operators. While its existing customer base controls over six million units, this represents only a fraction of the broader U.S. rental landscape, which comprises more than 40 million units.
This expansive small and mid-sized market presents a substantial growth vector. The new VAR program is a cornerstone of the company’s “Vision 2028” plan, a multi-year strategy focused on expanding its market-leading installed base and driving profitability. The initiative is also expected to be a critical driver in its “March to One Million IoT units,” a goal the company aims to achieve within the next four to five quarters.
“Under our three-year Vision 2028 program, we are laser-focused on growing our market-leading installed footprint,” said SmartRent President and CEO Frank Martell in a recent statement. “Expanding our go-to-market team is a major area of focus and an important contributor to our March to One Million IoT units. We believe the addition of resellers like SKBM Smart Technology... will add important momentum to our revenue growth in the small and mid-markets.”
Bridging the Tech Gap for Smaller Landlords
Owners and operators of smaller property portfolios face a unique set of challenges that have historically made adopting sophisticated technology difficult. Unlike large enterprises with dedicated IT departments, these operators often grapple with limited resources, competing priorities, and what many describe as “tech headaches”—the complex process of researching, vetting, and integrating disparate systems.
Key pain points include streamlining daily operations, managing maintenance requests efficiently, ensuring asset protection, and enhancing the resident experience to remain competitive. The pandemic accelerated the need for digital solutions like virtual tours and contactless payments, yet many smaller landlords lack the infrastructure to implement them effectively. The VAR program is structured to address these specific needs by providing a localized, high-touch engagement model.
Resellers like SKBM can act as a consultative partner, helping smaller operators navigate the complexities of proptech adoption. This approach allows SmartRent to scale its presence efficiently, offering tailored solutions that can grow alongside an operator's portfolio. As smart home technology becomes more affordable and accessible, this partnership model is poised to lower the barrier to entry, transforming what was once a luxury for large-scale developments into a practical tool for improving efficiency and profitability at any scale.
The Power of Partnership: The SKBM Advantage
The selection of SKBM Smart Technology as the first VAR is a strategic decision rooted in a long and successful history. An installation partner for SmartRent since 2018, SKBM has a deep understanding of the company's hardware and software ecosystem. More than just an installer, SKBM operates as a “PropTech Concierge,” offering a consultative approach to curate technology packages that align with a client's specific business goals.
SKBM’s track record is substantial, having implemented over 635,000 smart apartment units and completed more than 2,000 site-wide access control and Wi-Fi projects. As a fully licensed Certified General Contractor, the company can manage comprehensive projects that encompass IoT, access control, and other smart building technologies, providing a single point of contact for property owners. This expertise is critical for the small and mid-market segment, which benefits from a simplified, end-to-end implementation process.
“We are thrilled to build on our role as an established installation provider by also becoming a value-added reseller for a leading proptech organization like SmartRent,” said Bill Myers, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at SKBM Smart Technology. “Our team is already positioned to deliver SmartRent technology to small and mid-market communities and meet the specific needs of those property owners. We look forward to driving adoption across this expansive rental market sector.”
Market Context and Financial Implications
SmartRent's strategic expansion comes from a position of financial strength. The company reported total revenue of $237 million for 2023, a 41% increase from the previous year, and has achieved positive adjusted EBITDA for two consecutive quarters. This new channel-focused strategy aligns with its stated goal of driving profitable revenue growth and expanding operating leverage.
By utilizing a VAR model, the proptech firm can accelerate market penetration and grow its high-margin Software as a Service (SaaS) revenue without a proportional increase in its direct sales force and associated overhead. This efficient scaling model is common in the technology sector and is also utilized by competitors like Yardi and RealPage, which have their own partner ecosystems to serve diverse market segments.
The launch of the VAR program represents a pivotal evolution in SmartRent's business model, adapting its proven enterprise solution for a new audience. As the company continues to scale this program with additional partners, it has the potential to significantly accelerate the adoption of smart technology throughout the entire rental housing industry, making advanced operational technology an accessible standard for properties of any size.
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