Draft:Hire Space
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. SamAbou123 (talk) 17:04, 20 June 2025 (UTC)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Event technology |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | William Swannell, Edward Poland |
Area served | Global |
| Website | hirespace.com |
Hire Space is a UK-based event technology company that operates an online venue marketplace connecting event planners with venues worldwide. Founded in 2011 by long-time friends William Swannell and Edward Poland, the platform enables users to search, discover, and book venues for a wide range of events, including conferences, meetings, and corporate parties. It also offers a premium enterprise service, Hire Space 360, which supports global corporate venue sourcing and event planning. The company has raised approximately £5 million in funding and is a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence to the events sector, holding two patents for its event tech innovations.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]Hire Space was founded in London in 2011 by Will Swannell and Ed Poland, who had been friends since school. The idea originated as a way to help schools and community venues rent out underused spaces.[4] After securing initial funding, they launched the first version of the platform in 2012–2013.
In 2014, the company raised £1 million to expand beyond London and added venues in cities like Manchester.[5] A further £1 million+ was raised in 2015 from angel investors. By 2016, the company had 4,000+ venues and had processed tens of thousands of enquiries.[2]
In 2016, Hire Space launched Hire Space 360, a premium solution for corporate venue sourcing. That year, the company also raised over £500,000 in a crowdfunding round via Crowdcube, surpassing its funding target.[2]
By 2025, over 250,000 venues were available globally with major events booked via the platform across the world in London, New York, Tokyo and Paris.
Products and Services
[edit]Marketplace
[edit]Hire Space's core offering is an online venue marketplace. Users can search for venues by location, capacity, and event type, and make enquiries directly through the platform. Listings include photographs, pricing, floorplans, and reviews. The platform features a wide range of venues, from schools and museums to iconic landmarks and corporate spaces.[1]
Hire Space 360
[edit]Hire Space 360 is a subscription-based enterprise service offering centralized venue sourcing, automated proposals, standard contracts, and spend tracking. It includes a global venue database, AI assistant tools, and dedicated account management. The service is used by large corporations, including reportedly three of the six largest companies in the world.[3]
Technology and Patents
[edit]Hire Space has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence in venue booking. Its tools include AI-generated venue recommendations, automated proposal generation, and follow-up automation with venues. In 2024, the company was awarded its first patent for venue matchmaking technology, with a second patent pending.[3]
Partnerships
[edit]The company has formed global partnerships with Encore (formerly PSAV) for production support and with firms like event:decision and You. Smart. Thing. for sustainability and analytics services.
Recognition
[edit]Hire Space has been featured in media such as The Times, The Guardian, BBC, and The Daily Telegraph. It is often compared to Airbnb for event venues. The company launched EventLAB, an annual events conference, in 2017. Hire Space has received industry accolades including being a finalist for Best Venue Booking Solution at the 2024 Event Technology Awards. [6][7][8][9][5]
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Company founded in London |
| 2013 | Platform launched; first bookings made |
| 2014 | Raised £1 million; expanded to Manchester |
| 2015 | Expanded to Liverpool and Birmingham; raised £1M+ from angel investors |
| 2016 | Launch of Hire Space 360; raised £500k+ in crowdfunding |
| 2017 | First EventLAB conference held |
| 2020 | Introduced virtual event services |
| 2024 | Global expansion of Hire Space 360; AI patent granted |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Hutchison, Clare (21 November 2016). "Start-up Hire Space on shaking up the £40 billion events game". Evening Standard.
- ^ a b c "Hire Space - UK's leading venue marketplace". Crowdcube. 2016.
- ^ a b c Will Swannell (2024). "Hire Space secures patent for venue matching AI". LinkedIn.
- ^ "The charitable venture that grew into a thriving firm". City A.M. 2013.
- ^ a b "Hire Space raises £1m for national roll-out". The Telegraph. 2014.
- ^ "Online venture drives venue hire away from dinosaurs". The Times. 2016.
- ^ "Coronavirus: How to host a Christmas party on Zoom". Hire Space. 2020.
- ^ "How to hire out your space and make assets pay for themselves". The Guardian. 2012.
- ^ "Hire Space Wrapped: Our 2024 Year in Review". Hire Space. 2024.