Zoopla has been chosen as one of the first beneficiaries of a scheme intended to give 50 UK high-tech start-ups a year a head start on the international stage.
The Future Fifty programme, launched in April by George Osborne as a push to propel Britain to the front of the global race to attract digital talent and online entrepreneurs, announced its first list of 25 companies to take part in the scheme yesterday.
A second batch of 25 will be announced by the end of the year.
As part of the programme – specifically designed to help high-tech firms access funding and launch on the stock market – firms will get a mixture of professional and practical advice, and mentoring.
The programme will provide press and promotional backing, educational content and specially designed events.
To qualify for Future Fifty, firms need to be trading for 24 months and have revenue growth of 100% year on year.
Zoopla is currently mulling a float on the London stock exchange as a way of speeding up further growth. Yesterday, it said there was no further comment on such “speculation”.
However, Zoopla founder Alex Chestgerman said: “We have been one of the fastest growing online businesses in the UK since 2008. We now own and operate some of the UK’s leading online property brands including Zoopla, PrimeLocation and SmartNewHomes.
“Our focus is on continuing to develop our brands and grow our business in a sustainable way and ensure that we deliver the best possible exposure and enquiries for our members, and the Future Fifty programme provides us with the ideal platform to help realise our ambitions and we’re delighted to be included.”
Zoopla will certainly be eyeing up rival Rightmove’s progress on the London stock exchange.
Rightmove has now achieved a market valuation of over £2.5bn only six months after it passed the £2bn milestone.
Yesterday, the share price was continuing its upward trajectory at around £25.55, giving the company a market capitalisation of £2.56bn.
Rightmove achieved the £2bn landmark in early May.
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Comments
Good luck to zoopla they are the only Credible opposition to RM and they are nice to deal with
doesn't anyone feel a bit peeved zoopla are getting taxpayers money? wonder what rightmove have to say about this? strikes me as unfair. not happy either way. now zoopla collect pre-tax and taxed earnings! b
Scott, You seem to have all of mine already although the listings are very out of date.
What gives?
So Scott, if it's all free how does the site make money?
Shame no information coming through from the first couple of posters about their magical new formulas. Wish they would share the knowledge...
And who is this Trevor chap anyway?
OK I'm going to beat Trevor to it.
If you still want to advertise on a rapidly growing portal without paying a penny, Try findersandsellers.com.
Can't offer MLS (yet) but you will improve you SEO if nothing else. No listing limits, no time limits, no fees, no hidden costs and no contracts to sign, guaranteed.
http://www.findersandsellers.com/
Come on Trevor! quick quick there is a live one on the line.
All these months banging on about MLS and all of a sudden you have gone quiet
Where do you guys do your networking through? Is there any software assisting this?
@ Pulling off Portals
Portal spend now down to £100pcm. SEO £500 (portals before over £1200.
Profits up 30% + more stock and leads from 2 other agents that we now trust and network with.
We weren't sure. But were glad months on that we changed our model
@ NO LONGER ON PORTALS
Ive been thinking about pulling off some expensive portals. Our stock is down to 5 listings and after recent increase letters Ive had enough. With low listings being on main portals just don't get the phones ringing anymore.
Maybe portals know this and are floating before the portal thing dies as agents look at what the pound no longer buys. I and my partner use to have lower portal bills and always 20-30 properties. Now we have low stock and higher outgoings.
Maybe were try like *Pulling Off* has done spending SEO funds on us and more leaflet drops. The mor that pull off. The less value the portals have.
At least we use to control where we spent our pounds
Its great to see so many agents throwing £millions away at portals.
We stopped 6 months ago and now spend £500 a month on seo. Were now also working with 2 other local agents who give us leads and we give them leads and pay each other. One does a main portal and the other does another whilst we do gumtree.
We all save £1000s and were doing more business.
Were just glad we got out of the main portals and found other near agents who decided to share leads with us.
Profits up, outgoings down