We Are Pop Up operates a marketplace that connects potential tenants with short-term shops, restaurants, art projects and one-off events to available retail and commercial spaces. Launched in 2012 by Nicholas Russell, Alastair Moore and Mike Salter, the platform offers landlords an efficient way to access new tenants. To date more than 1,400 businesses and brands have applied to run over 900 projects in over 100 commercial spaces, and the service reports over 3,500 registered users. Over 120 properties are currently listed on the platform, provided by partners including BOXPARK Shoreditch, Cushman and Wakefield, Jones Lang LaSalle, Brighton & Hove City Council and Camden Town Unlimited. Listed sites include local collaboration spaces, shipping containers, independent shops and traditional units in shopping centres across London, Birmingham and other UK cities. Tenants using the platform range from artists and restaurateurs to online retailers. We Are Pop Up operates a double-sided online marketplace that lets brands and entrepreneurs submit proposals to use empty retail properties, while landlords and agents choose which tenants to accept. The platform asks potential tenants to put together proposals for pop-up stores or art projects and gives landlords access to curated creative businesses. The company launched in August 2012 and had four employees at the time of the article. Early traction included Boxpark contacting them two days after launch, more than 20,000 page views and 150 retail concepts submitted, and Boxpark filling three shops from the campaign. The business model is subscription and transaction fees, supplemented by a portfolio of value-added services for both landlords and brands. The founders frame the product as enabling "space as a service" to unlock vacant retail and speed up leasing transactions.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Sep 2013