Equity Gap leads £160,000 Appointedd investment to “spell the end for pen and paper”

A start-up that has developed an online booking and accounts system which it claims will end traditional pen and paper-based systems has raised £160,000 from Scottish finance company Equity Gap.

Founded by Leah Hutcheon, Appointedd’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering allows service-based businesses such as beauty professionals, music teachers and PR companies to manage their bookings and appointments entirely online.

The start-up claims its suite of tools gives small business owners the ability to manage their business entirely online, with facilities for appointments through Facebook, automatic email and text marketing campaign, and staff rota management.

The £160,000 investment was led by Scottish angel network Equity Gap, alongside contribution from Apollo Informal Investment and the Scottish Investment Bank (the investment arm of EU-backed Scottish Enterprise).

It is set to double the size of Appointedd’s team as it looks to drive a rapid growth strategy targeting new markets and territories.

Appointedd founder Leah Hutcheon said: “They say ‘time is money’. Well, for any company whose business model depends on selling time, it really is. Our software means small businesses don’t waste time but manage it as you would any other resource.

“Most small businesses still use pen and paper to record appointments and staff rotas. By taking this process online we boost efficiencies and deliver savings.

“We feel really passionately about empowering people who sell their most valuable asset – time. There are lots of separate tools that help small businesses succeed, but until now there was no one package that could give a small service business all the functionality they need to run their business, all in one place. As a small business owner, I know how hard it can be managing lots of different packages and then all your bits of paper. Appointedd consolidates it all in one intuitive package.”

Fraser Lusty, director of Equity Gap, added: “This collaborative investment is a great example of how Scotland’s vibrant angel community works together to support startups and grow enterprise in Scotland.

“Leah really understands her market and has a clear vision of where she wants to take her business. The software is easy to use and provides a service users want. We have been extremely impressed with Leah and believe that we can bring commercial perspective that will help her take her business forward to the next level.“