Exeter software company aims to disrupt holiday home rentals industry

Rentivo provides software to holiday home owners, managers and rental agencies across the globe to create marketing platforms, facilitate bookings and payments, plus manage calendars and enquiries, cutting out the service fees and commission charges of many online booking agents.

Richard Vaughton, director and co-founder of Rentivo said: “With six million plus rental properties worldwide, this is a diverse and ever-evolving marketplace. Our software removes the middle-man and allows managers and agencies to handle the entire process simply and effectively.”

Since its inception, the company has expanded across the globe, with a sales office being established in Barcelona, and is currently looking to move into the Asian market, following the acquisition of a Hong Kong-based company “Klik.Villas” earlier this year.

Richard continued: “Our new space has given us the opportunity to expand the team and we are currently recruiting for software developers, as well as staff for finance, marketing and customer support roles.
“In moving to the Science Park, we have strengthened connections to University of Exeter which is a great resource for us. It gives us access to computer science and fintech graduates, as well as those with language skills, which is essential as we move into new markets.

“Having grown-up in Torbay and lived here for much of my life, I am familiar with Exeter and have seen it grow into a hub for tech-based businesses over the years. This is one of the key reasons we wanted to move here and we see the Science Park as a place for us to grow and to thrive. It’s an added bonus that it is a beautiful area too.”

Rentivo was set up by Richard and co-founder Chris Atkinson, chief technology officer. Previously managing director of Discovery Holiday Homes, Richard combined his marketing experience with knowledge of the rental industry to establish Rentivo. Software developer Chris provided the technical expertise needed to launch the company.

The company was supported by a crowdfunding campaign launched in December 2016, with the aim of raising £250,000. The company exceeded their target in February this year, with over 70% of investments coming from owners and managers of rental properties.

Joe Pearce, Business Support Manager of the Science Park Centre said: “Rentivo has tapped into a thriving market and we are pleased that they have chosen the Science Park to grow their business.

“The Science Park Centre is home to a host of STEM related businesses and we have built a strong community here that have access to a range of business support activities including the SETsquared partnership, experts in residence, mentors, access to research, development and academic expertise at the University of Exeter.”

The building of the Science Park Centre has been made possible with shareholder equity from Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, the University of Exeter; the Heart of the South West LEP which committed £4.5m loan from the Growing Places Fund; and a £1 million grant from the Regional Growth Fund.

For more information about the Exeter Science Park visit www.exetersciencepark.co.uk, call 01392 247047 or follow  Exeter Science Park on Twitter @ExeterSciencePk or LinkedIn.

For more information about shared working space, laboratory and office accommodation, please contact the Science Park Centre on 01392 249 222.

To find out more about Rentivo, visit www.rentivo.com or email Richard richard@rentivo.com.