Edinburgh-based remote working startup SWURF has landed a six-figure investment and appointed industry leaders to its board as part of a bid for growth across the UK and Europe.

This latest investment round includes follow-on funding from existing backer Gareth Williams, co-founder of Skyscanner, who pledged an undisclosed sum to support the startup’s expansion back in 2022.

The fresh funding, which includes backing from the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme, Scottish Enterprise, and other private investors, is earmarked to supercharge SWURF’s rollout, with the company laying the groundwork for another £1 million raise later this year to support global expansion.

As part of that long-term plan for growth, the Scottish tech firm has welcomed three new faces to its board. 

Joining as chair of the board is Alison Grieve, award-winning founder of G-Hold, while Scott Leckie, SWURF’s former fractional CTO, will take on a permanent board seat, with Daniel Rodgers, founder of QikServe, joining as non-executive director.

“In an economic environment where both hospitality and commercial property sectors are seeking new models of resilience, SWURF is targeting a fast-evolving segment of the flexible work economy,” said Grieve.

“This next phase of funding will help us transform more everyday venues into productive, community-driven workspaces, powered by technology and a hospitality-first mindset.”

Launched during the pandemic, SWURF’s ‘freemium’ app connects remote and hybrid professionals with underused hospitality spaces, like cafés and hotels, turning them into off-peak workspaces. 

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Venues already connected to SWURF include the likes of Edinburgh restaurants Dishoom and Chaophraya, as well as select Moxy Hotels.  

Data collected from SWURF indicates that the platform has generated £1.8 million in revenue for host partners, while building a user base of over 11,000 and activating more than 300 venues across the UK.

“When travelling, it’s often difficult to find welcoming spaces to work. Swurfers typically spend £15–£30 per visit,” said Rodgers, the firm’s new non-executive director.

“By extending traditional service windows, hospitality operators can tap into this community and create incremental revenue that supports profitability and reduces waste.”