Community Feedback App Commonplace To Double In Size After £3 Million Venture Capital Injection
Commonplace, the start-up that provides an app for community members to offer feedback
to property developers and councils on local development, is to double its staff numbers
after securing £3 million in venture capital funding. The Aldgate, London-based business’s
technology allows locals to comment on anything from new housing and other building
plans to cycle lanes.
Commonplace is now six years old and hopes the venture capital cash will take it onto the
next level. All £3 million of the investment round came from London-based venture capital
investor Beringea. Commonplace co-founder and chief executive Mike Saunders
commented:
“This round of investment will enable us to engage millions more people as councils,
developers and the government seek to address housing shortages and the pressing need for
infrastructure.”
To date, Commonplace has worked with around 70 local authorities in London boroughs and
property developers including Grosvenor and Delancey as well as Transport for London (TFL)
and HS2. The new staff hires planned will allow the company to accelerate its expansion
around the UK.
The company is already the leading UK consultation platform of its type and its role in
facilitating public engagement ahead of application submissions is well regarded. During the
Covid-19 pandemic its role has extended to working with councils on speaking to and
receiving feedback from the public on moves to increase active travel and responses to
social distancing measures.
Mr Saunders comments:
“It is vital that people are connected to the place they live, work or play, and are able to have
a constructive voice in the developments and projects shaping these places. This round of
investment will enable us to engage millions more people as councils, developers and the
government seek to address housing shortages and the pressing need for infrastructure. I’m
delighted that we will be expanding our brilliant and committed team to meet this exciting
challenge.”
On behalf of Beringea, which put up the £3 million in venture capital that will finance
Commonplace’s growth, investment director Eyal Malinger stated:
“Commonplace helps create a dialogue about how we can adapt neighbourhoods for the
better, creating safety and economic prosperity in the process”.