Gateshead party planning platform makes some noise following six-figure funding

Party planning platform PoptopUK is ready to make an even bigger noise after securing a six-figure investment from the North East Growth Capital Fund Loan Fund Supported by The European Regional Development Fund.

Gateshead headquartered PoptopUK is the only event marketplace in the world to provide an instant booking service to its clients and suppliers, using technology that it developed and built itself.

Having recorded 300 per cent year-on-year growth over the last year, PoptopUK is now looking to scale up even faster by working with suppliers to enhance the services they offer and increasing the range of exclusive experiences that are only available via its platform.

It has worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to bring in the £150k Growth Capital Fund investment via the Recovery Loan Scheme, which will support the development of new ideas and services and enable PoptopUK to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

PoptopUK was founded by CEO Eugene Shestopal when he moved to the North East from Ukraine in 2015. It has a second office in Kyiv, with 37 people currently working across the two locations, and up to 10 new North East jobs are expected to be created as the business expands.

The platform currently has around 3,000 active suppliers on its web portal and will be looking to further increase this number as part of its growth strategy.

Eugene Shestopal, who had worked in the party planning industry for over a decade before setting up PoptopUK, commented: “We originally saw a chance to fill a gap in the market and have successfully grown the brand over the last seven years to be right at the forefront of our industry.

“After two years during which it’s often been difficult, if not impossible, for people to hold in person events, we know the enthusiasm for the services, events and experiences we provide has never been greater.

“What we want to do now is use the experience we’ve gathered on what people want to help our suppliers enhance what they offer and create experiences that will amaze our customers and keep them coming back for more.

“Working with the NEL team proved to be a very smooth process and they provided the right financial options for the growth plans that we’re now putting into action.”