People’s Champion Finalist: Purplebricks.com This 24/7 online estate agency is shaking up the property market less than two years since launch. Will it get your bid for People’s Champion at the Startups Awards 2015? Written by Megan Dunsby Published on October 12, 2015 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Written and reviewed by: Megan Dunsby Start-up name: Purplebricks.com Founders: Michael and Kenny Bruce Started in: 2014 Based in: London Business description: Online estate agencyShortlisted categories:Innovative Business of the YearTech Business of the YearVenture Funded Business of the YearThe Purplebricks.com story:Named top spot in our Startups 100, Purplebricks.com is turning the traditional estate agency model on its head with its open-all-hours online property platform which claims to offer customers a better, cheaper and simpler way to sell or let a property. It enables customers to arrange viewings, put their house on the market, book a local property expert and even make an offer/sale agreed on a property from any device, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. The business concept of brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce, Purplebricks launched in April last year and, with 70% of its activity taking place when local estate agents are closed, has already taken over 61% of the national online housing market, and 34% in London. Following a nationwide roll-out, the Bruce’s have big ambitions and want to “revolutionise the way people buy and sell houses” starting with their business model – instead of normal commission, customers pay a flat fee of £665 + VAT (said to save customers £9,000 on average).Low cost pricing, around-the-clock operations and a humorous national TV campaign have quickly seen Purplebricks establish itself as a serious contender to key industry players and it consistently sits at the top of Rightmove figures in terms of new listings. Customer reviews are equally impressive; scoring ratings of 9.5 on Trust Pilot.Why Purplebricks.com made our 60:Purplebricks.com’s hybrid model, coupled with a transparent approach, has seen it take a large chunk of the UK housing market less than 16 months after launch. In some parts of the country, the start-up even has a bigger market share than the leading traditional agent!Where to find out more about Purplebricks.com:Website: www.purplebricks.com Twitter: twitter.com/purplebricks Facebook: facebook.com/purplebricksUK Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Megan Dunsby