# Stairs Financial **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/stairs-financial **Vertical:** Real Estate & Property Tech **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** stairsfinancial.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary First-time homebuyer platform surfacing government down payment assistance across 40+ states; $3.5M seed from YC helping buyers discover DPA grants they don't know exist amid housing affordability crisis. ## Company Overview Stairs Financial is a Brooklyn-based platform helping first-time homebuyers navigate the path to homeownership — combining property affordability assessment tools, integrated robo-advisor savings automation, and access to free government down payment assistance programs (DPA) available in 40+ states that most buyers don't know about. Founded in 2020 and a Y Combinator graduate, Stairs Financial raised $3.62 million including a $3.5 million seed round in January 2024, targeting the large segment of potential first-time buyers who are paralyzed by down payment requirements and housing cost uncertainty. Stairs Financial's platform walks prospective buyers through the financial planning required before purchasing: analyzing their current savings, estimating the target down payment for specific neighborhoods and price ranges, identifying applicable government assistance programs (many states and cities offer down payment grants or forgivable loans of $10,000-$25,000+ that eligible buyers can stack), and automating savings contributions through a built-in savings tool. The DPA program database is the key differentiator — thousands of programs exist at federal, state, city, and county levels, with different eligibility requirements that buyers and even many real estate agents don't know to apply for. In 2025, Stairs Financial competes in the homebuying technology and financial planning market with Doorsteps (Realtor.com), Better Mortgage's planning tools, and financial planning apps for first-time homebuyer education and planning. Housing affordability is at historical lows in 2024-2025 after the combination of pandemic-era price appreciation and 2022-2023 interest rate increases that roughly doubled monthly mortgage payments for equivalent homes compared to 2020. Down payment assistance programs represent one of the few levers that can meaningfully reduce the barrier to first home purchase for moderate-income buyers. Stairs Financial's discovery value alone — surfacing DPA programs buyers didn't know about — justifies user attention. The 2025 strategy focuses on growing the DPA program coverage, adding mortgage pre-approval integration that connects planning to execution, and building the referral network with real estate agents who work with first-time buyers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Stairs Financial? Stairs Financial is a Brooklyn-based online goal-based savings platform that helps young Americans buy homes by showing them affordable properties and helping them save through a roboadvisor. The platform connects users with free government down payment assistance programs and helps navigate thousands of available credit and assistance programs for first-time homebuyers. ### What products and services does Stairs Financial offer? Stairs Financial offers a goal-based savings platform, home affordability assessment tools, roboadvisor services for home saving, government assistance program connections, and down payment program navigation. The platform provides a comprehensive solution combining affordability assessment, savings tools, and access to government assistance programs. ### Who is Stairs Financial designed for? Stairs Financial is designed for young Americans and first-time homebuyers who are navigating home affordability challenges. The platform specifically helps those facing high interest rates, low inventory, and high prices that make it difficult to purchase homes. ### When was Stairs Financial founded and by whom? Stairs Financial was founded in 2020 by Malcolm Wiley Floyd and Scott Fritz. The company participated in Y Combinator's W22 batch. ### Where is Stairs Financial headquartered? Stairs Financial is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The platform is currently live in Texas with licenses across 40 states. ### How much funding has Stairs Financial raised? Stairs Financial raised $3.5M in seed funding in January 2024, bringing their total funding to $3.62M over 2 rounds. Investors include Zigg Capital, Y Combinator, Antler, Exceptional Capital, and one other investor. ### What are Stairs Financial's key achievements? Stairs Financial has secured licenses across 40 states and is currently live in Texas. The company has raised $3.62M in total funding and was part of Y Combinator's W22 batch. ### What is Stairs Financial's approach to helping homebuyers? Stairs Financial uses a roboadvisor to help users save for home purchases while showing them homes they can afford today. The platform addresses affordability challenges by connecting users with thousands of down payment assistance and credit programs available to first-time homebuyers. ### In which states is Stairs Financial available? Stairs Financial holds licenses across 40 states and is currently live in Texas. The company is planning nationwide expansion in early 2024. ### What are Stairs Financial's recent developments? In January 2024, Stairs Financial raised $3.5M in seed funding and obtained licenses across 40 states. The company launched in Texas and is planning nationwide expansion in early 2024. ## Tags b2c, proptech, fintech, saas --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*