Edinburgh-based startup Swurf has secured a six-figure investment to grow its platform, which connects remote and hybrid workers with underutilized hospitality venues.

The funding round includes backing from Gareth Williams (co-founder of Skyscanner), the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme, Scottish Enterprise, and private investors.

Founded in 2020, Swurf enables professionals to work from cafés, hotels, and co-working spaces through its mobile app.

The platform currently partners with over 300 venues across the UK and has more than 11,000 users.

Alongside the funding, the company announced three new board appointments.

The investment will support Swurf’s expansion across the UK and into select European markets.

The company also hinted at a potential €1.1 million (US$1.3 million) funding round later this year to support global growth.

🔗 Source: EU-Startups

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Remote work is creating new hospitality business models beyond traditional coworking

SWURF represents an emerging trend where companies are monetizing underutilized hospitality spaces during off-peak hours rather than building dedicated coworking facilities.

This approach allows workers to access flexible workspaces while creating new revenue streams for existing venues, with SWURF users spending between £15-£30 per visit according to the company’s data.

The pandemic transformed work patterns, with hospitality businesses now adapting their spaces to capture this new market of hybrid professionals.

What makes SWURF’s model particularly interesting is how it transforms fixed hospitality costs into additional revenue opportunities, addressing the challenge of empty tables and spaces during traditionally slow business hours.

The company’s claim of generating approximately €2 million for hospitality partners highlights the economic potential in optimizing venue utilization outside peak hours.

2️⃣ Scotland’s tech ecosystem shows signs of maturing investment patterns