Member Article

Startup taking skin crawling awkwardness out of networking is looking to raise £400k

We’ve all been there. The roomful of anonymous strangers, the awkward glances, the flunked ice-breakers, the hastily scoffed canapes before the ignominious business cardless retreat. Networking is horrible and something nobody outside the most gregarious ladder climber or power executive enjoys doing.

However, London-based startup TableCrowd has hatched a novel approach to take that skin crawling awkwardness out of the equation, turning it into something people actually want to do while still forging those all important business connections.

Its format consists of themed dinner events headed up by a guest speaker which interested individuals, usually businesspeople, entrepreneurs and other professionals, can then sign up for giving them a relaxed and casual way of meeting likeminded people.

The startup has already corralled big names from the likes of Facebook, Monzo and Deliveroo across thousands of similar events, with an upcoming slate featuring highflyers from the likes of Octopus Ventures and Draper Esprit.

Now TableCrowd is turning to the crowd as it seeks investment to support the next stage of its growth with the launch of its £400k crowdfunding drive on Crowdcube.

The company has big plans to expand its digital offering with a new app allowing users to book themselves onto tables and arrange secure one to one meetings with contacts to supplement networking and contact building.

According to TableCrowd, the development of its new app will help to ‘add control and purpose’ for members building their network and will further its vision of developing a ‘truly offline’ business network.

International expansion is also on the cards with the firm eyeing up as yet unnamed ‘key cities’ driven by demand from its international members who are clamouring for similar events in their countries.

TableCrowd’s crowdfunding campaign launches on Crowdcube this Friday.