SWURF Secures £200,000 Investment to Transform Edinburgh into a Hub for Flexible Working
Nikki Gibson and Alison Grieve
SWURF, the Edinburgh-based platform dedicated to remote working solutions, has announced a significant funding round of £200,000. This investment is set to propel SWURF’s growth, with the ambitious aim of establishing Edinburgh as the world’s foremost city for flexible working.
The funding will see participation from both existing investors and industry leaders, including Gareth Williams, co-founder of the globally successful Skyscanner, and Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, a prominent figure in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector, known for her ownership of Boda BV, Green Room, and Victoria Bar.
Central to this investment is the expansion of the innovative SWURF Pods, which are cutting-edge, on-demand private meeting spaces. These pods are specifically designed for professionals needing immediate privacy for sensitive business discussions. They boast advanced soundproofing, secure private WiFi networks with encryption, smart LED lighting, air filtration systems, and ergonomic seating.
Currently, SWURF Pods are available at Edinburgh Airport and YOTEL on Queen Street, providing a convenient solution for the modern ‘work-from-anywhere’ professional. The company aims to ensure that workers in Edinburgh are never more than 15 minutes away from a SWURF Pod location, reinforcing the city’s position as a leader in flexible working solutions.
Through the SWURF app, users can easily find and connect with a variety of remote working-friendly venues across Edinburgh, including hotels, cafés, and bars. By checking in via the app, users unlock exclusive perks and gain immediate access to secure WiFi codes. To date, over 450 venues are featured on the app, including notable partners such as the new Hoxton hotel, the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh Royal Terrace, and The Royal Scots Club, catering to a growing community of 14,000 users.
Data indicates that SWURF is contributing £2 million to the local Edinburgh economy by helping venues create new revenue streams, monetising spaces during off-peak hours, and enabling users to discover new locations throughout the city.
Nikki Gibson, CEO and Co-Founder of SWURF and a hospitality expert, remarked: “This latest investment is a testament to what we are building as we continue to redefine remote working. People want more than just a desk, they need flexibility, security, and environments that inspire productivity. Our mission is to make Edinburgh the global gold standard for flexible working. By expanding our network of host venues and rolling out our high tech SWURF Pods, we are ensuring that whatever your work needs are, the city is your office.”
Margaret Auld, General Manager of Yotel Edinburgh, added: “The Swurf pod is an excellent service that we can provide to our hotel guests and it also brings new people into our hotel.”
This funding round follows a successful six-figure investment in 2025 and the recent appointment of three industry veterans to the SWURF board. The board is chaired by Alison Grieve, founder of G-Hold and an expert in international scaling. She is joined by Scott Leckie, who transitioned from fractional CTO to a permanent board member, and Daniel Rodgers, founder of the Scottish tech success story QikServe, who serves as a non-executive director.
With a strengthened leadership team and new funding, SWURF is well-positioned to redefine the landscape of remote work, beginning with the streets of Scotland’s capital. For more information, visit: https://swurf.co/
