Earlier this week, interior design specialists, Houseology.com announces it is seeking £1 million investment through equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs.
The new funding opportunity allows the public an opportunity to share in the success of its online interior design and luxury homeware business, along with a board of directors that includes Sir Terry Leahy (former CEO, Tesco), Bob Willett (former CIO, Best Buy), Bill Dobbie (Founder, Iomart), Jill Little (former Strategy Director, John Lewis Partnership) and The William Currie Group.
Formerly known as Occa Home, Houseology.com was founded in 2010 by award-winning interior designer Kate Mooney, when she identified a gap in the market for a tech-driven interior design service aimed at simplifying the home design process for her busy clients. Her business model of opening up her design studio to both consumers and trade via a digital platform, complemented by a range of over 200 designer furniture and home-ware brands, has generated £8.9 million worth of sales to date, a turnover of £3.7m in FY14-15 and more than 30,000 customers in 100 countries.
Sir Leahy noted:
“With the interiors sector dominated by mid to low-end players, there is significant room in the higher end of the market for a challenger brand like Houseology.com to grow. Kate’s vision is to transform the interior design space and homewares market the same way Net a Porter transformed the fashion industry. With her expertise and passionate team, combined with our Board’s considerable experience, we’re confident the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Mooney commented:
“We’re offering a unique circle of value online by combining three key elements of the interior design industry on our platform, bringing together designer brands, independent interior designers and retail consumers – all within one convenient andcustomised buying experience. while developing exciting new tools and technology that will transform the way people shop for interiors online.”
She then added:
“We have some of the most enthusiastic and passionate customers and supporters a business could wish for” says Kate “and in the same pioneering spirit of opening up our design studio to everyone, we’re thrilled to be able to open up this investment opportunity to everyone too, enabling friends and customers to invest alongside Terry and the rest of our team as we continue to develop a unique digital interiors emporium.”
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