Nottingham’s Groubook launches crowdfunding campaign

Nottingham-based technology start-up Groubook has launched a crowdfunding campaign through the crowdfunding equity platform Seedrs.

Groubook launched in August 2020 and the platform lets groups organise nights out online and take advantage of discounts and rewards. The app also allows bars and restaurants to sell pre-booked slots to customers, allowing them to control numbers.

Groubook plans to raise at least £160,000 to bring the technology in house and accelerate growth for the company.

Commenting on the campaign so far, Groubook founder Bradley Gough says: “The last year has been a constant kick in the teeth for the hospitality sector.

“That’s where Groubook comes in. We want to give our local bars and restaurants as much support and business as we can to ensure their survival and at the same time reassure the public that they are COVID-19 secure.

“Primarily we’re targeting the UK’s millennial and student population. Our research has shown that a large percentage of our major city’s population is students. It’s also vital we get the offer right for the bars and restaurants. We won’t be tying anyone into a contract and are much more competitive to similar operators in the market.

“Our plans for growth are ambitious and despite everything that’s happened in the past year, we’re confident we’ll achieve them. We’ve already won backing from investors for this first phase of the business and this next phase of investment will help us to grow and reach our full potential.

“Once restrictions begin to ease further, we’re ready to go full steam ahead and support the UK’s hospitality sector as it starts to rebuild.”