A听socially-minded听technology company set to transform the travel experiences of those with reduced mobility has secured 拢2.3m in a funding round led by听Blackfinch听and听Praetura听Ventures.听
Transreport, which has offices in London and Glasgow, has designed an app that helps rail passengers with disabilities and mobility restrictions by better enabling rail operators and station staff to respond to booked assistance requests.听
The Passenger Assistance tool – which is already being trialled by major rail operators including West Midlands Railway,听Northwestern听Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway – allows passengers to alert staff to their needs as part of their everyday journeys, making rail travel more accessible and socially inclusive for all.听
The progressive technology also means staff can respond effectively to changes in the event of cancellations, delays, platform alterations or missed trains, and is set to transform the travel experiences of those with reduced mobility.听
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The investment round was led by Reuben Wilcock of听Blackfinch听and Pete听Carway听and Louise Chapman of听Praetura听Ventures. Andy Sumner, portfolio managing director of听Praetura听Ventures, will join the Transreport board as a non-executive director.听
Blackfinch听will have invested a total of 拢1.3m by tax-year-end, and听Praetura听Ventures has invested 拢1m听 as听part of the deal, which includes personal investment from Dominic McGregor, co-founder of Social Chain and one of听Praetura听Ventures鈥� venture partners.听听
This investment will now allow Transreport to drive expansion, as well as invest in marketing for key products. With the support of the teams at听Blackfinch听and听Praetura听Ventures, Transreport also plans to further solidify its multi-modal proposition.听
Jay Shen, founder of Transreport, said: 鈥淏oth听Blackfinch听and听Praetura听Ventures instantly recognised what Transreport is trying to achieve: make transport more accessible. Their respective strategic visions for a more equal, equitable and inclusive society aligns completely with our own.听听
鈥�Going forward, there is a strong belief that companies which put people and the planet first, will undoubtedly be more profitable. We maintain an ethos of using technology for doing good, and the entire team is greatly looking forward to working with them to help grow Transreport further to maximise its positive impact on as many people as possible.鈥�听
Reuben Wilcock, head of ventures at听Blackfinch, said: 鈥淭ransreport鈥檚 unique proposition provides a practical solution to an everyday challenge experienced by the rail operators and their customers.听听
鈥�The Passenger Assistance tool makes train travel more accessible to those with disabilities and mobility challenges, and that concept perfectly aligns with the听Blackfinch听Group鈥檚 commitment to investing in companies that are making a positive impact on society.听听
鈥�The interest that the app has already had from across the industry is indicative of the strong growth and return potential that it offers for investors.鈥�听
Pete听Carway, investment director at听Praetura听Ventures, added: 鈥溊暇牌凡鑕s that drive positive social change have never been so important and Transreport is one of the most exciting businesses in the market.听听
鈥�Jay has established a highly experienced, credible and ambitious team and together they have created a model that has huge potential. Not only does the business exist for the sole purpose of making travel more accessible to all people,听it听also improves the quality and inclusivity of the service rail operators can provide.听
鈥淭hrough a deep understanding of the issues facing people with mobility issues, the team has been able to develop a truly revolutionary product that genuinely puts the customer at the heart of the journey and improves accessibility for all.听听
鈥�We鈥檙e looking forward to working in partnership with听Blackfinch听to provide the investment and strategic support that will support Transreport as it embarks on the next stage of its growth journey.鈥�听