Swurf, the app that connects remote workers with spaces and hosts, has secured significant funding from two investors and appointed a director in Leeds.
Gareth Williams, co-founder of Skyscanner, and Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, co-founder of the Boda Bar Group, have backed the start-up.
As part of plans to expand, Swurf has appointed its first director outside Scotland, who will focus on growing the business in England.
The company was founded in Edinburgh in 2021 by Nikki Gibson, who had worked in events, sales and marketing for many years, when she spotted a gap in the market with more people working remotely during the pandemic.
The app links individuals with spaces - including hotels, bars and restaurants - where they can get on with their jobs, network and collaborate.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics for May this year showed that about of quarter of UK workers were adopting a hybrid model.
Gibson said: “Getting investment from Gareth and Anna represents a major step forward for Swurf as we continue to expand quickly.
“It’s great that successful investors and entrepreneurs of their calibre have chosen to support Swurf and have bought into our ambitious plans.
“Until now I have funded the business myself, as well as receiving a Scottish Government Digital Boost Grant earlier this year to further develop my app with a focus on more engagement for users and hosts.”
She added: “The Swurf model has worked well and we continue to sign up new hosts and users across the UK as we build up our community, with an eye on global expansion. Our vision is to have a virtual network of international Swurfers.”
Swurf now has more than 2,500 registered users who have downloaded the app and over 100 hosts. Users and hosts are located across the UK, including the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Manchester, with Leeds coming on board at the end of July. Hosts include Moxy Hotels, Dakota, Chaopraya and Village Hotels.
Williams said: “I can see similarities between the Swurf concept and that of the Skyscanner business I co-founded which shook up the travel booking market and has achieved global success.
“Swurf is growing quickly and I can see the potential for it to be rolled out globally as remote working looks set to stay.”
Christopherson added: “With my Boda Bars and Restaurants business I was the first host to join Swurf when it launched as I could really see the value it added for me and what a great app it was for users.
“Based on the success in its first year, I didn’t hesitate in deciding to invest in Swurf to support its growth across the UK and then internationally.”
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
