Entrepreneurs Revolutionize Gift-Giving with £0.5m Backing

Needi, an online gift-matching marketplace founded by Louise Doyle and Steph Scholes, two female entrepreneurs, has secured over £0.5m in funding to revolutionize the way people give gifts. With support from lead investor Techstart Ventures and the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator, Needi aims to scale up to £10m by the end of 2024. By leveraging technology and artificial intelligence, the platform matches shoppers with high-quality, local products or services based on their specific needs. Needi has already sourced corporate gifts from independent businesses for companies like Virgin, Quickbooks, and Ticketmaster. The founders credit their recent growth to their participation in the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator program, where they had access to mentors and investors. Through this program, they were able to secure funding and forge partnerships with new merchants. Needi’s innovative approach to gift-giving has caught the attention of shoppers and businesses alike, positioning them for further success in the future.