VenueScanner, akin to Skyscanner for venues, has raised £800,000 to support its expansive growth strategy.
This funding will aid its mission to innovate venue booking processes across the UK, entering new cities monthly.
A New Era for Venue Discovery
VenueScanner, frequently referred to as the ‘Skyscanner of venue discovery‘, has successfully amassed £800,000 in its inaugural seed funding round. This substantial financial backing is set to bolster the company’s ambitious plans for nationwide expansion, with the aim of establishing a presence in a new UK city each month.
The funding round attracted investment from several notable individuals and organisations, including Angel CoFund, New Look founder Tom Singh, and Phil Burks of Big Yellow Storage. Their combined support will not only fuel VenueScanner’s expansion ambitions but also facilitate enhancements to the site’s design and user experience.
Innovative Solutions in Digital Marketing
Co-founder Rebecca Kelly highlights the infancy of digital marketing in the venue and events industry, underscoring a vast and untapped opportunity. She observes that individual venues often incur costs exceeding £3 per click on platforms like Google, without any booking assurance. VenueScanner seeks to address this issue by enabling venue hosts to reach substantial audiences at minimal costs.
With the newfound investment, VenueScanner intends to fully leverage its digital marketing capabilities. The goal is to implement a seamless venue discovery experience for event organisers, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness across the board.
Origins and Growth Trajectory
VenueScanner was founded in January 2016 by entrepreneurs Benjy Meyer and Rebecca Kelly, who brought significant experience from e-commerce and digital marketing backgrounds at major UK retailers.
The platform emerged from Meyer and Kelly’s frustrations with London’s cumbersome and costly venue booking systems, which they frequently encountered in their professional dealings. This inspired them to create a service that simplifies venue procurement for events such as office parties or workshops.
VenueScanner now stands as a leading platform in the UK, offering a wider selection of venues than any other competitor. Its portfolio spans universities, museums, community buildings, and more, meeting the diverse needs of its clientele.
Strategic Investment and Endorsements
Among the voices supporting VenueScanner’s vision is Tim Mills, Investment Director at Angel CoFund. He acknowledges the challenges in the venue and meeting space market, emphasising the opportunity for a business like VenueScanner to streamline the planning of significant events.
Tom Singh, known for founding New Look, praises the innovative communication between organisers and hosts facilitated by VenueScanner. He compares its transformative impact on the venue booking industry to that of Skyscanner in the flight sector, suggesting a future where VenueScanner becomes indispensable.
With such endorsements and strategic financial backing, VenueScanner is poised to redefine the venue discovery landscape, making it more accessible and user-friendly.
Prospects for Future Expansion
The capital injection will enable VenueScanner to roll out its services across multiple UK cities, expanding its market reach and solidifying its footprint in the industry.
Apart from geographic expansion, the company plans to explore cutting-edge features that will differentiate its offerings. This approach aims to ensure VenueScanner remains at the forefront of venue discovery innovation.
With inquiries already coming from industry giants like Facebook and Uber, the future looks promising for VenueScanner as it seeks to cater to both corporate and private event organisers with equal efficiency.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The venue discovery market presents its own set of challenges, particularly in maintaining affordability while scaling operations nationwide. VenueScanner’s ability to offer a comprehensive and efficient service will be critical in overcoming these hurdles.
Innovation will be crucial for VenueScanner as the company navigates a highly competitive landscape. By continuously enhancing its digital marketing strategies and user experience, the platform can maintain its edge in the market.
Conclusion
Through strategic investment and innovative thinking, VenueScanner is set to transform the venue discovery industry with its comprehensive, cost-effective solutions for event planning.
The journey ahead is filled with both challenges and remarkable opportunities, positioning the company as a leader in the dynamic landscape of venue sourcing.
VenueScanner’s journey is marked by innovative strides in the event planning sector.
The strategic backing promises to propel it into a leading position in the venue discovery market.