OpenMoove Secures £700,000 for Prop-Tech Growth, Cardiff 2026

Key Points

• OpenMoove, a Cardiff-based property technology business, has secured £700,000 in equity investment.
• The deal is led by the Development Bank of Wales.
• The company was founded by two experienced Welsh entrepreneurs.
• Funding will support scaling of the prop-tech platform.
• Six new jobs will be created in Cardiff in the coming months.
• OpenMoove aims to address inefficiencies in the UK’s property transaction market.

Cardiff, Wales (Cardiff Daily) April 15, 2026 – A Cardiff-based property technology business named OpenMoove, founded by two experienced Welsh entrepreneurs, has secured £700,000 in equity investment in a deal led by the Development Bank of Wales. The funding is expected to create six jobs in Cardiff as the company builds a small, expert team to support the next stage of its growth. This development comes as OpenMoove positions itself to tackle longstanding issues in the UK’s property sector.

What is OpenMoove and What Does the Prop-Tech Platform Do?

OpenMoove is a property technology company launched from Cardiff to transform aspects of the UK’s £8 trillion property market. As reported in coverage by Legal News Wales, the platform addresses deep-rooted inefficiencies where only 1% of adults reportedly trust the current property transaction system. The business selects partners such as estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers based on client satisfaction and completion times rather than sales volumes alone.

The platform has already attracted over 200 property professionals to its waiting list, according to a LinkedIn post by Nathan Handley, tech recruiter. OpenMoove operates as a digital solution combating a lack of trust in the property system, with its Wales-based founders emphasising comprehensive transaction support. No further specifics on the founders’ names were detailed in the primary announcement from the Development Bank of Wales.

Who Led the Investment and What Are the Funding Terms?

The equity investment deal was led by the Development Bank of Wales, as stated directly in their official news release. This backing forms part of broader support for Welsh startups, aligning with initiatives like the £130m Investment Fund for Wales, which has reached an £18 million milestone with 71 investments since late 2023. That fund has supported other Cardiff-based ventures, such as equity investments into AI startup Nisien.AI, though OpenMoove’s £700,000 round stands as a distinct equity transaction.

Details on other investors participating in the round were not specified in the available reports. The funding structure is described solely as equity investment, aimed at scaling operations without mention of debt components or valuation figures.

How Will the Funding Be Used and What Jobs Are Planned?

The £700,000 will enable OpenMoove to scale its prop-tech platform, with plans to build a small, expert team. This scaling effort is projected to create six jobs in Cardiff over the coming months, focusing on roles to drive the next growth phase. Specific job titles or qualifications were not outlined in the announcement.

As noted in earlier coverage of the platform’s launch, OpenMoove targets inefficiencies in property transactions, suggesting team expansion will bolster technical and partnership functions. The Development Bank of Wales highlighted this job creation as a key outcome, tying it to local economic impact in Cardiff.

What is the Context of OpenMoove’s Launch and Market Position?

OpenMoove launched as a Cardiff-founded venture earlier in 2025, with initial reports from Legal News Wales detailing its aim to overhaul the UK property market. A LinkedIn update from December 2024 by Nathan Handley described the platform’s rollout, noting its focus on partner selection for better client outcomes. By April 2026, the company has progressed to this funding milestone, reflecting steady development.

The prop-tech sector in Wales benefits from ecosystems like FinTech Wales Foundry, a no-equity accelerator launched in 2021 that aids startups in securing investment. While no direct link to OpenMoove was confirmed, such programmes have supported similar fintech and prop-tech growth. OpenMoove’s model differentiates by prioritising trust and efficiency metrics over volume-based metrics.

Background of the Development

OpenMoove emerged amid growing interest in prop-tech solutions for the UK’s property sector, which faces persistent challenges in transaction speed and transparency. The company’s platform builds on a launch announced in early 2025, where it positioned itself against systemic distrust, as covered by Legal News Wales. Prior to the funding, OpenMoove had garnered interest from over 200 professionals, per Nathan Handley’s LinkedIn post from December 2024. The Development Bank of Wales’ involvement underscores its role in nurturing Welsh innovation, similar to recent deals like the £1m into Brecon-based SudoCyber and support for Nisien.AI in Cardiff. This £700,000 equity round follows the bank’s pattern of milestone investments, contributing to the £18m deployed via the Investment Fund for Wales by mid-2025.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Property Professionals and Welsh Startups

This funding enables OpenMoove to expand its platform, potentially offering property professionals like estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers access to a vetted network prioritising satisfaction metrics. Six new Cardiff jobs could bolster local talent in prop-tech, providing opportunities for specialists in technology and partnerships. For Welsh startups, the deal exemplifies Development Bank of Wales support, which has unlocked £3m in private investment alongside its £18m deployments, possibly encouraging similar equity rounds in the region. The platform’s growth may streamline transactions for users in the £8 trillion market, though adoption depends on partner integration. Overall, it positions Cardiff as a hub for prop-tech, with ripple effects for economic activity in Wales.