● Pioneering online platform connects gardeners with available space to grow their
own
● Founder Conor Gallagher hails six-figure investment from backers including top
venture capitalists QVentures and Belfast-based HBAN Angel Network
● Investment will be used to improve AllotMe’s digital platform which has targeted a
2,000% growth in hosts over next 18 months
● Announcement comes as AllotMe prepares to launch AllotMents 2.0 – a summer
campaign to switch the nation on to growing their own

The first-ever online marketplace for allotments – AllotMe – has unveiled plans for rapid
expansion after securing more than £250,000 investment to grow the blooming business.

AllotMe’s pioneering online platform pairs anybody with available outdoor space with people
seeking somewhere to grow their own – known on the platform as ‘greenfingers’ – allowing
them to rent plots in just a few clicks.

Since launch in May last year, the urban garden marketplace – described as ‘Airbnb for
Gardens’ – has surged in popularity, with more than 100 hosts listing underutilised space to
grow fruit and vegetables across the UK. Some greenfingers have been successfully renting
space from hosts for more than a year already.

AllotMe is now preparing to launch AllotMents 2.0 – a summer campaign to recruit hosts to
the site and ramp up the available space for rent by would-be greenfingers.

The campaign will coincide with a range of improvements to the platform designed to make it
even easier for hosts and greenfingers to make underutilised space work for them.

The burgeoning business aims to increase the number of plots listed by more than 2,000%
over the next 18 months. The £250,000 investment – which included £120,000 from venture
capital outfit QVentures and more than £50,000 from the HBAN Angel Network in Northern
Ireland – will be used to significantly enhance the platform, with an in-house software
engineer already recruited to drive the project.

AllotMe was founded by entrepreneur Conor Gallagher in response to rising demand for
space in the face of diminishing availability in urban environments – particularly in London –
where some areas have waiting lists of up to 40 years for allotments.

More than 80% of the UK population currently lives in cities, with one in eight homes without any garden space at all, a figure rising to one in five in London.

Glasgow School of Art-trained Gallagher gave up a successful career as an architect and
urban designer – during which he worked on £30 million plus construction projects in New
York and London, as well as involvement at startup Farmacy NYC – to focus full time on
AllotMe, fuelled by a passion for promoting sustainability and urban regeneration.

Gallagher said: “This backing from QVentures, HBAN Angel Network and other angel
investors shows the faith people have in what we’re out to achieve at AllotMe, and the
investment will play a massive part in driving the next chapter for the platform.

“The first year of AllotMe has shown the massive potential of the platform, from both hosts
and greenfingers, and the time is right to invest in scaling up the technology and reach of the
business to meet the demand.

“People across the UK are telling us this is a service they want, and I’m massively excited by
this next stage for AllotMe as we continue on our mission to revitalise underutilised space in
cities by providing a truly sustainable solution that encourages people to grow their own and
eat more healthily too.

“AllotMents 2.0 will focus on encouraging hosts to think about how the platform can enable
their space to work for them, whether that’s earning money to spend on other things;
manage outdoor space they can’t; or help the environment through passive sustainability.”

Gallagher believes the ability to grow your own has never been more important as the
cost-of-living crisis grips the nation, and hopes AllotMe will play a role in helping people
across the country cope.

He added: “AllotMe was founded as interest in allotment and garden space in cities surged
during the Covid-19 pandemic, but with highly limited supply. That interest has risen even
more steeply as the cost of living crisis escalates.

“With inflation at 30 year highs, people are seeing the price of food soar and that’s why more
are turning to growing their own. The lack of available space continues to be an issue
however, and that’s why this investment is so important.

“The cost of living crisis affects everybody, and if we want to provide a solution for more
people that offers access to a healthy and sustainable source of food.”

Robert Walsh, Managing Partner at QVentures said: “QVentures is proud to support AllotMe
on its journey to creating the future of cities and a more sustainable future for the next
generation. We’re also very happy to be working alongside Conor Gallagher, an innovative
founder and architect disrupting this industry.”

AllotMe works by allowing hosts to list their land on the platform, setting pricing and outlining
the specifics of the available plot. Greenfingers and organisations then find local plots that suit their growing needs, exchange messages with potential plot hosts, and request to rent
the plot on a monthly basis. Once an agreement has been made, greenfingers can begin
growing their own fruits and vegetables. Hosts also benefit, as their empty garden is taken
care of, which in turn, improves the local community’s climate as 25% of emissions are
absorbed by plants.

Gallagher’s flair for innovation also included the creation of the AllotMe ‘GrowPod’, the
world’s most sustainable hydroponic planter, which featured in the Evening Standard’s list of
best new home tech of 2021. The GrowPod only requires seed pods, water and natural
sunlight and is designed to allow people with limited indoor space to grow vegetables
indoors.

For more information on AllotMe, please visit allotme.co.uk/

ENDS

Notes to Editors
How AllotMe works
Hosts list their garden space on the open AllotMe platform for free, setting a price which
suits them. All they need to submit is the size of the plot, some photos and information on
how Greenfingers can access the space.
They are able to set how much of the garden, and how much access to allow. Interested
Greenfingers can then enquire about the plot, which hosts can review with the decision
entirely at their discretion.
After a rental request is accepted from a Greenfinger, AllotMe will pay hosts each month,
minus a small percentage fee.
Customer support is available for hosts and renters 7 days a week, and there is a peace of
mind ‘Garden Guarantee’ that covers damage to property.
For more information on AllotMe, to register as a host, or to join the waiting list visit
allotme.co.uk

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