Swurf Secures Funding from Skyscanner Co-Founder

Traveltech start-up Swurf, whose innovative app connects remote workers with welcoming spaces to work in, has secured significant funding from two investors which will help the company target global growth.

View fullsize

Traveltech for Scotland

Skyscanner co-founder Gareth Williams and Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, co-founder of the award-winning Boda Bar Group in Edinburgh, have both pledged an undisclosed sum to support Swurf’s expansion.

The Scottish-based company has also appointed its first director outside Scotland, who will focus on accelerating growth in England.

Swurf 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. With many people preferring to continue to be remote workers at least some of the time, the app links individuals – Swurfers - with spaces, including hotels, bars and restaurants, where they can get on with their jobs, network and collaborate.

Since its launch, the app has attracted more than 2,500 registered users and 100 hosts, including Moxy Hotels, Dakota, Chaopraya and Village Hotels.

Nikki 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.

Gareth Williams said: “I was attracted to invest in Swurf because it has a real purpose, fills a gap and is building a community. 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.”

Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson: “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.

Find out more about Swurf and read the full news article via the link below.