Today we’d like to introduce you to Md Tariquzzaman.
Hi Md, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I came to the United States to pursue my Master’s degree in Computer Science, full of ambition and hope. Very quickly, I ran into a challenge that many international students face but few talk about openly: renting a home without U.S. rental history or a credit score. Despite having stable funding and strong academic credentials, I was repeatedly denied housing. When I spoke with my classmates, I realized this wasn’t just my problem, it was a systemic one affecting thousands of talented international students and professionals every year.
As a software developer, my instinct was to solve problems through technology. I began researching how this gap could be addressed and started sketching solutions in a notebook, literally hand-written prototypes. After graduating and joining a company, I continued working on the idea nights and weekends. That effort eventually became the minimum viable product (MVP) of RentYard.
RentYard was built with a simple but powerful goal: to help international tenants get approved for apartments using alternative documentation instead of traditional credit and rental history. I shared the idea with investors in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, California, and New York, and in March 2025, we successfully raised funding at a $1 million valuation.
The response exceeded our expectations. We decided to help tenants without charging any fees as part of our growth strategy, and word spread quickly. Today, RentYard has over 65,000 Facebook followers, receives more than 20 WhatsApp inquiries daily, and helps both domestic and international tenants find affordable housing across the U.S.
Our work has been showcased at major events such as Web Summit Canada, the Dallas Small Business Expo, and Global Entrepreneurship Week in Fort Worth. In 2024, I was honored as one of the Top 100 Small Business Innovators in the Dallas–Fort Worth region. In 2025, RentYard and my leadership were recognized through nominations for the Tech Titans Startup CEO Award, Venture Dallas Startup of the Year, and the Social Impact Champion Award at Amplify by the Dallas Entrepreneur Center.
Beyond building RentYard, I’m deeply committed to giving back. I serve as a pitch competition judge with Eagle Venture Lab, a startup mentor with the DEC Network, and a panelist across the DFW startup ecosystem. My journey, from an international student struggling to rent a room to a founder building a socially impactful company, drives my mission every day: to make the U.S. more accessible for global talent that contributes to its innovation and economy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. It’s been challenging. The biggest struggle was starting RentYard as an international student with no U.S. rental history or credit score myself. Raising awareness and trust among landlords and investors was difficult at first, and fundraising was another major hurdle, as many investors were unfamiliar with the problem we were solving. Building the technology alongside a full-time job required long nights and persistence. We also had to figure out how to help tenants without charging them, which meant growing carefully while managing resources. But each challenge taught us valuable lessons and strengthened our mission to make housing accessible for international renters.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
RentYard is a platform created to address a challenge faced by thousands of international students and professionals in the Dallas–Fort Worth area every year. Finding housing without a local rental history or credit score can be difficult, and our platform helps tenants get approved for apartments using alternative documentation, making the rental process more inclusive and accessible. As a software developer and entrepreneur, I enjoy solving problems and turning innovative ideas into practical solutions that benefit the community.
I specialize in building software that drives social impact and helps people overcome real-world challenges. Beyond RentYard, I am known as a mentor, speaker, and startup influencer, supporting new founders and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs in the DFW area. What sets RentYard apart is the combination of personal experience, research, and innovative thinking that went into creating the platform, as well as successfully raising funding to grow the business.
What I am most proud of is the difference we make in people’s lives. Our brand is about helping others and providing safe, affordable housing without charging tenants until February 2026. We want readers to know that RentYard is more than a rental platform. It is a solution dedicated to making housing accessible and supporting global talent contributing to the DFW economy.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the DEC Network and the entire DFW startup ecosystem. Attending numerous startup events has been incredibly valuable for learning, networking, and growing RentYard. I also want to give a special shout-out to Darlisa Diltz from Foundation EDC for her guidance and support.
Many people have played a crucial role in my journey. Mentors and advisors from the DFW startup community have provided invaluable advice on fundraising, product development, and scaling a business. My early supporters and cheerleaders, including investors, peers, and colleagues, believed in the idea even when it was just a handwritten prototype. They offered guidance, encouragement, and introductions that opened doors and accelerated our growth.
I am also grateful to our team, clients, and the tenants we serve. Their feedback and trust have helped shape RentYard into a platform that truly addresses real challenges. Each mentor, supporter, and teammate has been part of our story, and their contributions have been essential to our success and impact in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rentyard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rentyard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rentyard
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rentyard/
- Twitter: https://x.com/rent_yard
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rentyard
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rentyard-irving
