Startup To Know: Atlanta’s OSTVA Builds A Marketplace For Local Rentals And Services

KENNESAW, GA, August 2 (Hypepotamus) - Need a dog walker? There's an app for that. A tutor? Another app. A specific power tool for a weekend project, or a folding table for a graduation party? You're probably texting a neighbor or scrolling Facebook Marketplace and hoping for the best.

Tamas Novoszath (in featured photo) wants to replace that patchwork digital experience with a single marketplace app. His new startup,  OSTVA, works as a peer-to-peer marketplace where users can rent out items they own, offer local services, or find help nearby. 

Building A Peer-To-Peer Marketplace

OSTVA's pitch, per its website, is that it works as a single app to earn from your assets, monetize your skills, rent what you need, and get help when you need it. In practice, that means users can list items to rent out, offer services like cleaning or tutoring, or borrow something they only need temporarily…without juggling separate apps for each.

Those who join the app must provide several layers of safety measures, helping ensure each transaction is secured. Chats between users on the marketplace are secured and payment cashout options are handled within the app. 

The company is bootstrapped so far. Novoszath has funded development personally while working full time. "Right now, our primary focus is achieving product market fit and building meaningful traction," he told Hypepotamus. "We believe community growth will ultimately determine the platform's success."

OSTVA is prioritizing organic growth for now, though Novoszath said the company plans to eventually connect with angel investors and strategic partners aligned with its long-term vision for a peer-to-peer sharing economy platform.

Preparing for Launch

The name OSTVA is based on the Hungarian word for "shared," a nod to Novoszath's background. He grew up in Budapest before moving to the U.S. on a swimming scholarship at the University of South Carolina before ultimately moving to the Metro Atlanta area. 

Now, OSTVA is preparing to launch fully in its first community at Kennesaw State University. Novoszath is taking a campus-first approach, working with students, Greek organizations, and athletic teams to seed early adoption.

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HypepotamusMaija Ehlinger

He's also rolling out a program called Golden Founder Cards.

"The Golden Founder Cards are our way of rewarding the earliest members who list items and tasks, and help us build the marketplace early on," Novoszath said. "We're giving away 500 of these cards to people in the Marietta, Kennesaw, and greater Atlanta area." Each card carries a unique serial number that members can register on OSTVA's website. Founder members get exclusive benefits and entries into raffles for prizes including Apple AirPods, JBL speakers, gift cards, and cash — plus a grand prize to be announced after OSTVA hits a future milestone. Novoszath said the bigger value is the feedback loop: these early users will help shape the platform as it grows.

Looking ahead, Novoszath is focused on proving the model locally before scaling. 

"Our primary goal this year is to build the first self-sustaining network hyper-locally," he said. "If we can prove that the model works in one city, we believe it can be replicated in communities across the country."

He measures success not just in downloads, but in people earning income, renting items, and completing tasks for each other.

"Those real-world interactions will help us refine the platform before expanding into additional markets."