A Dundee tech firm whose platform connects learner drivers with instructors is looking to raise £390,000 to expand into more cities.
GoRoadie was established by Michael Carr and Barry White three years ago after a friend who was a driving instructor approached them looking to attract more students.
This led to the pair developing the app, which allows people to scroll through instructors in their area.
Since launching in Dundee, GoRoadie has expanded to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Nottingham and Leeds.
“We realised that finding a driving instructor, if you don’t know where to look, is not easy and we thought there was an opportunity there,” said Michael.
“The app has taken off quickly in the cities we have launched in. Since launching in Leeds this year we’ve already signed up 30 instructors.
“The number of bookings and instructors is now continuously increasing month on month.
“Last month over 200 students booked their driving lesson through our platform which is up over 100% from the previous month.”
The fundraising will be used to hire five staff in Dundee, as the company plans expansion to more cities.
In each city, the founders engage with local driving instructors to get them to use the app.
“We see Leeds as a stepping stone to Manchester, Birmingham and London,” Michael added.
“We go and give presentations to instructors in each city we launch in.
“Once we get a certain number of driving instructors on board we turn on Google Ads and try to get students to come through to book.
“We are raising investment because we want to grow further and faster throughout the UK.
“We are trying to raise £390,000 through investor syndicates and speaking to some VCs.
“We have projected that that money will create five jobs in Dundee as well as go towards marketing spend.”
GoRoadie previously completed the 12-week Elevator Accelerator programme and run the business from the Elevator Dundee offices on the University of Dundee campus.
The pair are not just setting their sights on the UK, believing that the app would also be a success in the United States and Canada.
“We want GoRoadie to be synonymous with driving lessons,” Michael added.
“We are not just looking at the UK. We want to go international. It’s a similar proposition in the United States and Canada and so we will be looking to expand globally in the future.”
rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk