Meet the Founder: A Conversation with Denys Romanov
Forty minutes in an airport queue in Vienna started it. Denys Romanov on why car rental never had its Airbnb moment — and what Juuh does about it.
Juuh is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace designed to make renting and hosting a car simpler, faster, and more flexible. We spoke with founder Denys Romanov about the idea behind the platform, the future of the sharing economy, and why he believes mobility is ready for a new approach.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself
Denys: I'm an IT entrepreneur and product builder. I've always enjoyed building products that solve real problems—not just adding another app to people's phones.
Over the years, I've launched and worked on several technology projects, and I've always been fascinated by how software can solve everyday problems. More recently, I've been focused on AI and how it can create smarter, more intuitive digital experiences. Outside of work, I'm passionate about travelling and cars—which is exactly where the idea for Juuh came from.
Q: What inspired you to build Juuh?
Denys: Every time I travelled, renting a car felt like the most outdated part of the trip. You arrive at the airport, wait in line, sign paperwork, deal with hidden fees, and lose valuable time before your holiday even begins. I remember myself after arriving at Vienna Airport in 2023 and waiting for my car for about 40 minutes, "Why do I have to stand in line to use a service I've already booked on my phone?"
At the same time, booking accommodation has become incredibly easy. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com completely changed that experience.
I kept asking myself: if the sharing economy transformed the way we book places to stay, why hasn't it transformed the way we rent cars?
That's how Juuh started.
Q: How is Juuh different from a usual rental service?
Denys: We're not a traditional rental company. Juuh is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace.
Instead of renting from a fleet, travellers book directly from local car owners. Hosts can share a car they already own, while guests get more choice, a simpler booking experience, and a more personal way to travel.
It's a model that's built around people, not rental counters.
Q: Why do you believe the sharing economy works so well?
Denys: Because it creates value for everyone involved
A car is one of the most expensive assets people own, yet it often spends most of its time parked. At the same moment, travellers are searching online because they can't find the right vehicle. That disconnect really stood out to me.
Through peer-to-peer sharing, hosts can earn from that unused time, while travellers get access to a wider range of vehicles and often a more convenient experience.
It's a smarter use of resources, and I think that's where mobility is heading.
Q: AI is a big part of your work. How does it fit into Juuh?
Denys: AI shouldn't just make software faster—it should make it smarter.
We're building Juuh as an AI-powered platform that simplifies the entire experience, from searching for the right vehicle to managing listings and improving the booking process.
The technology works in the background so that the experience feels effortless for both guests and hosts.
Q: Who is Juuh built for?
Denys: For two groups.
The first is travellers who want an easier alternative to traditional car rental.
The second is car owners who want to become hosts and earn additional income by sharing their vehicle through a trusted marketplace.
Both sides benefit from a platform that's simple, transparent, and built around flexibility.
Q: Where is Juuh available today?
Denys: We launched in Spain, with an initial focus on Costa Blanca, including Alicante and the surrounding region, and we're continuing to expand into other destinations such as Andalusia.
Our goal is to grow across Spain before entering new markets.
Q: What's next for Juuh?
Denys: Cars are just the beginning.
Our long-term vision is to build a complete sharing marketplace for mobility. In the future, we'd like people to use Juuh not only to rent and host cars, but also bicycles, motorcycles, boats, and yachts.
Wherever people travel, we want Juuh to become the easiest way to find the right way to move.
Q: If you had to describe Juuh in one sentence, what would it be?
Denys: A smarter way to share, travel, and explore.