A London-based PropTech company on a mission to maximise the value of rooftop space is one of several start-ups to be accepted on an accelerator programme.
The Geovation Programme, backed by Ordnance Survey (OS) and HM Land Registry, has accepted seven new GeoTech and PropTech firms which will each receive up to £20,000 in grant funding and a range of resources and services to help them grow.
Skyscape, one of four PropTech start-ups to have been accepted, uses artificial intelligence to analyse rooftops and identify opportunities to maximise their use and address urban challenges.
The firm’s rooftop data analytics platform allows property owners and managers to identify opportunities for utilising rooftop space, where value of existing and future stock can be increased.
Since opening in the summer of 2016, the Geovation Hub has become home to more than 900 GeoTech and PropTech start-ups and the programme has to date supported 65 tech start-ups.
Alex Wrottesley, Head of Geovation, said: “This is an exceptional group joining us. The rogramme is designed to give them the best possible support to help propel them to the next level.
“We offer a founder-friendly environment, great mentors, high-quality workshop content and, almost uniquely, a dedicated software development team in house, who work hand in hand with our companies to build and release their first products.”
Orla Shields is the founder of GetRentr, a PropTech company using artificial intelligence to track all UK property licensing regulations and consultations in real-time to ensure property portfolios are compliant.
Following a successful application, GetRentr was selected to join the Geovation Programme and the company has secured more than £500,000 in funding in the six months that followed.
Shields described the programme as “life changing”.
“The grant money has helped us do things we couldn’t have done while we were waiting to secure our investment,” she said.
“Free office space in Clerkenwell is a major benefit for any business – early stage or not. It’s great environment, with numerous other inspiring start-ups in a similar field. Geovation’s network and connections with major people in this industry and in the government is priceless to us.”
The seven start-ups accepted onto the programme are:
GeoTech
Mothive is an automated agronomy service to help farm managers maximise efficiency, reduce waste and improve the predictability and control of crops.
Pocket Pals is a mobile animation game to encourage young people and families to engage with and visit the real wildlife local to them.
Trik is a 3D mapping and reporting system to deliver drone-collected data into higher quality, digital, structural inspections available on a mobile tablet.
PropTech
Skyscape uses AI to analyse rooftops and identify opportunities to maximise utilisation and address urban challenges. Its rooftop data analytics platform enables asset managers to efficiently identify opportunities for utilising rooftop space, where value of existing and future stock can be increased.
ThirdFort is a security enhancement tool to help property solicitors more efficiently process property transactions.
Fruumi is a friendly and efficient end-to-end shared accommodation platform that empowers landlords to let out their property at lower risk and cost.
Hipla is a platform to help buyers evidence their own buyer position, and for owners and estate agents to quality buyers, giving better transparency earlier in the process, whilst enabling opportunities for selling additional services and attracting sellers.