£620k seed funding for Manchester Exchange-supported proptech

Property tech start-up, Housr Living has secured £620,000 in funding through its latest seed funding efforts.

Founded by friends Harry Panter and Ben Clayton, who met while at university in Manchester in 2021, 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 start-up scale across the UK and its universities as a student service, and extend its reach to young professional graduates.

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 a variety of sources including Bachmanity Capital, and angels including David Evans, Ian Tyler, Steve Thornhill, Barry Brown, and others.

The 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 successfully partnered with 75 per cent of all major university societies and has 3,600 properties on the platform, along with a strong waiting list.

CEO Panter said: “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? 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. Bringing it in line with technologies currently available means students, and letting agents, have an altogether better experience.”

Alice Pickersgill, head of Exchange, added: “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.”

Housr has also formed a partnership with fellow Exchange member Houseflow, and Pickersgill adds that the Housr team will now be working alongside Exchange mentors to future cohorts.