The backing of the Development Bank, Huw as the lead investor and the wider syndicate means that we are now well-placed to realise our vision with the comfort of knowing that they understand the challenge of starting up and scaling a fast growth tech business.
Anna Roberts, Founder, SelfStorageBooker.com
Based in Anglesey, SelfStorageBooker.com is an online marketplace that allows self-storage facilities to list their space and customers to find, compare and instantly reserve the right space for their needs.
There are approximately 27,000 new storage bookings each month in the UK, and the sector is now worth an estimated £48 billion annually. Yet, comparing and reserving the right solution can be an inconsistent and long-winded process.
Here’s how our equity and angel finance is supporting SelfStorageBooker.com (formerly known as Explorage.com) to deliver an effective online marketplace for storage operators and its customers.
The brains behind SelfStorageBooker.com
At just seven years old, Anna Roberts first demonstrated her entrepreneurial flair and determination when organising a fundraiser to persuade Flintshire County Council to invest in her village park.
She qualified as a chartered surveyor from university, yet Anna was driven by a desire to help people with problems and a focus on doing the right thing for customers. With 60% of customers who use self-storage doing so because they are experiencing a stressful life event, Anna decided to form SelfStorageBooker.com.
Since forming the company, the team has grown to five full time staff members, alongside interns and consultants who have helped SelfStorageBooker.com grow significantly.
Working with us to grow SelfStorageBooker.com
In November 2022, a syndicate of nine business angels joined the Development Bank of Wales and M-SParc in backing Anna as she prepared to launch its online platform.
Huw Bishop of Camau Nesaf was the lead investor of the syndicate that invested a six-figure sum in SelfStorageBooker.com, with Angels Invest Wales providing match funding from the Wales Angel Co-investment Fund. Recognising the company’s potential, M-Sparc’s Accelerator Programme also committed funding to SelfStorageBooker.com.
Anna used the money to make key hires and begin regional rollouts throughout the UK, and SelfStorageBooker.com has since received additional equity funding from our Technology Seed Fund to further develop the technology behind SelfStorageBooker.com.
Anna commented: “The backing of the Development Bank, Huw as the lead investor and the wider syndicate means that we are now well-placed to realise our vision with the comfort of knowing that they understand the challenge of starting up and scaling a fast growth tech business. It’s a really exciting time and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”
Tom Preene of Angels Invest Wales said: “It’s often the simple ideas that become the very best businesses. Anna’s determination and entrepreneurial mindset means that she is definitely one to watch so we’re delighted to be supporting Huw and the syndicate of business angels with this investment.”
