U.K. startup Explorage Ltd. is offering an online self-storage marketplace for consumers and has received six-figure investment after a round of seed funding. The infusement was led by Huw Bishop, director and co-founder of Camau Nesaf, a Wales-based network of angel investors. Angels Invest Wales also provided match funding through the Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund, according to the source.

Explorage allows consumers to comparison shop self-storage rates and services as well as reserve units online. Users will be able to isolate their searches to specific regions of the UK and filter search results by options such as 24-hour access, security features, power in units and other features, according to the company website.

Self-storage operators receive free listings but have the option to purchase one of three upgrade packages. Add-ons include features like customer reviews, property videos, automated payments and virtual tours as well as facility-management services and social media promotion, according to the website.

“The benefits of an easily accessible, integrated online service were clear,” said Anna Roberts, founder. “Doing a seed round means we can launch and iterate the product at pace as we listen and learn from our customers and continually improve.”

Roberts developed the business through the M-SParc Level-Up Accelerator program. A Wales-based business and innovation incubator, M-SParc also contributed non-equity funding, the source reported.

“Having recently moved house, I had first-hand experience of the difficulties involved with finding storage, so it was front of mind when I was first introduced to Anna,” Bishop told the source. “Her drive, passion and energy, coupled with the opportunity in the market, meant that it was actually very easy to get co-investors excited about the offering.”

Sources:
Insider Media Limited, Online Self Storage Marketplace Secures Backing in Funding Round
Explorage, Website