Cleanster is changing how property management works. In just two years, the startup grew revenue four times over, raised $3 million and won both first place and the People's Choice Award at DMZ's 2024 Black Innovation Summit. When Black founders get the right support, they don't just compete, they lead.
Co-founded by Gloria Oppong, Derrick Agyiri and Jay Hum, Cleanster connects property managers to top-rated cleaners and has seen serious traction in cities across North America, including major metropolitans like Montreal, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto and New York City.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Cleanster's growth has been exceptional. In 2024 alone, the company tripled its bookings on the platform and for 2025, Cleanster’s projected to more than double last year’s results by year-end. Today, their community has grown to over 30,000 clients, creating job opportunities for 140,000 cleaners worldwide.
And just this summer, the startup secured $3 million in debt financing from Rise Capital. This funding will help Cleanster double down on their cleaners, empowering them to pay cleaners faster and scale sustainably.
The community behind the breakthrough.
For Co-Founder and CEO Gloria Oppong, Cleanster's rise is about more than growth numbers. "DMZ's Black Innovation Programs and the Summit opened so many doors for Cleanster," she said. "The mentorship, network and pitch support helped me refine the business and share it with the world."
That support paid off in 2024 when Cleanster won first place at the Black Innovation Summit pitch competition, plus the People's Choice Award and $35,000 CAD. It was a moment that showed investors, customers and the broader startup community what the company could do.
Black Means Business in action.
Cleanster's story shows what this year's Black Innovation Summit theme, Black Means Business, is all about. With vision, execution and the right ecosystem, Black founders scale faster, compete stronger and build businesses that set new standards.
On Oct. 30, 2025, the 2025 Black Innovation Summit will bring together the next wave of founders ready to follow Cleanster's path. Join us for the pitch competition, connect with top Black entrepreneurs and see why backing them is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Register today to join us at the Black Innovation Summit, taking place on October 30 at dmz.to/BIS.
