Property technology startup Housr Living has secured £620,000 in funding to bolster team expansion, functionality and growth across the UK.
Founded by university friends Harry Panter and Ben Clayton,the Housr app uses AI to eliminate the administrative hurdles that typically accompany the process of securing a rental property.
It operates similarly to a dating app – students can swipe through properties and secure viewings, while landlords and letting agents can use it as a management portal.
The six-figure seed funding will allow Housr to bring development in-house ahead of the launch of the updated version of the app. It will also help the startup scale across the UK and its universities as a student service, and extend its reach to young professionals who have graduated.
The PropTech business also has plans to expand to the US student market in the near future, and develop ‘Housr community’ and ethos – built by students, for students.
Funding has come from Bachmanity Capital and various angels including David Evans, Ian Tyler, Steve Thornhill and Barry Brown.
This financial injection follows a period of growth for the business whilst on the Manchester-based Exchange programme. Exchange supports early-stage tech businesses by providing them with a base at Department Bonded Warehouse, Enterprise City at St. John’s, as well as access to its growing list of industry partners, mentors, and advisors.
Becoming revenue-generating shortly after launch, Housr has now amassed over 3,000 student downloads with a growth rate of over 1,000 new users, month on month. It has partnered with 75% of all major university societies and has 3,600 properties on the platform, with a strong waiting list.
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“I wish I had Housr when I was a student. You can order an Uber within three clicks. Why can’t you find a home the same way?” said CEO Panter. “Having met at university two years ago, Ben and I have been on a mission to revolutionise the way that the student property market works.
“Where you live is such a big part of the university experience, and disrupting the process, bringing it in line with technologies currently available means students, and letting agents, have an altogether better experience.
“Securing funding is the next significant step on our journey and being part of the Exchange scheme has played a large part in developing our identity and network to date. We’ve built a strong brand, made our initial hires, and created a support network of associates that have helped shape our vision within the last 12 months, at Exchange.
“This support and the community we are now part of will help us become the go-to platform for students finding their next property around the country and one day soon across the pond.”
Alice Pickersgill, head of Exchange, commented: “Housr is an exciting business that has carried out its vision and mission while being part of our support scheme. Not only have Harry and the team made the most of the partners and support here at Department Bonded Warehouse, but they have also become a genuine part of the community, creating a better experience for everyone involved.
“Exchange has brought together fellow members Housr and Houseflow to develop a partnership and new innovations. Housr is a real testament to the programme, and we’re looking forward to seeing the business scale and working with Harry and the team as alumni and future mentors to our next cohort.”