Openmoove Secures £700K Funding for Prop-Tech Growth, Cardiff 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff-based property technology firm openmoove, founded in 2024 by Welsh entrepreneurs Ross McKenzie and Cai Gwinnutt, has secured £700,000 in equity investment.
• The funding comprises £350,000 from the Wales Technology Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, matched by £335,000 from HAATCH and Welsh angel investors.
• This marks the second co-investment between HAATCH and the Development Bank of Wales.
• The investment will support scaling the team, accelerating go-to-market activities, and rolling out the B2B platform across the UK property sector.
• Six new jobs are expected to be created in Cardiff in the coming months.
• openmoove’s platform streamlines workflows for estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers by integrating with existing systems, reducing administration, and improving communication.
• The company has spent 18 months developing and testing the product with early customers, securing interest from major estate agency groups and conveyancers.
• Both founders are Welsh-born and raised, with the business headquartered in Cardiff.
• Chief Executive Ross McKenzie stated the investment provides backing to scale up, build the team in Cardiff, and roll out the platform more widely.

Cardiff, Wales (Cardiff Daily) April 15, 2026 – A Cardiff-based property technology business, openmoove, founded by two experienced Welsh entrepreneurs, has secured £700,000 in equity investment to scale its platform, grow its team, and support wider rollout across the UK property sector.

The funding deal, led by the Development Bank of Wales, includes a £350,000 equity investment from the Wales Technology Fund, matched by £335,000 from early-stage venture firm HAATCH and a group of Welsh angel investors, as detailed in a press release from the Development Bank. This investment comes at a pivotal moment for openmoove, which has spent the last 18 months refining its B2B platform designed to streamline workflows for estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers.

What Funding Has Openmoove Received and From Whom?

openmoove, established in 2024 by Ross McKenzie and Cai Gwinnutt, received the £700,000 equity package specifically to enable team expansion, faster go-to-market efforts, and broader platform deployment.

The breakdown features £350,000 from the Wales Technology Fund managed by the Development Bank of Wales, with the remaining £335,000 contributed by HAATCH alongside Welsh angel investors.

This collaboration represents the second joint investment by HAATCH and the Development Bank, highlighting a pattern of co-investment in Welsh tech ventures.

As reported by Michael Rees, Assistant Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, in their official announcement:

“Our investment from the Wales Technology Fund will help openmoove scale from Cardiff, create new jobs and build on the commercial foundations already in place. It is also encouraging to be investing alongside HAATCH again, demonstrating the value of co-investment in supporting ambitious Welsh businesses with high-growth potential.”

How Does Openmoove’s Platform Function?

The platform integrates seamlessly with internal systems used by property professionals, establishing a single source of truth and a common communication layer without demanding a complete interface overhaul. This approach aims to cut administration, enhance communication, and simplify property transactions for all involved parties. openmoove has already tested the product with early customers and garnered commercial interest from major estate agency groups and conveyancers over the past 18 months.

Chief Executive Ross McKenzie commented:

“This investment gives us the backing to scale up, build our team in Cardiff and start rolling the platform out more widely.”

The firm’s roots remain firmly in Wales, with both founders born and raised there, and operations based in Cardiff.

What Jobs Will the Investment Create?

The funding is projected to generate six jobs in Cardiff within the coming months, as openmoove assembles a small expert team to drive the next growth phase. These roles will focus on supporting expanded operations, product rollout, and customer engagement in the property sector.

No additional details on specific job titles or timelines beyond the six positions were provided in the announcement from the Development Bank of Wales.

Who Are Openmoove’s Founders?

Ross McKenzie serves as Chief Executive, while Cai Gwinnutt is the co-founder alongside him. Both individuals were born and raised in Wales and have developed their careers within the region, anchoring the company in Cardiff.

Their experience as Welsh entrepreneurs underpins openmoove’s development of a platform targeting inefficiencies in property transactions.

Earlier coverage, such as a LinkedIn post by Nathan Handley, noted openmoove’s launch efforts in addressing “deep-rooted inefficiencies” in the UK’s property market, with over 200 professionals on a waiting list including estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers. That post highlighted partner selection based on client satisfaction and completion times rather than sales volumes alone.

Why Is This Investment Significant for Welsh Prop-Tech?

The deal underscores growing support for prop-tech innovation in Wales, with the Development Bank of Wales playing a lead role through its Technology Fund.

By co-investing with HAATCH, it demonstrates effective collaboration to bolster high-potential startups. openmoove’s focus on B2B solutions positions it to influence workflows in the UK property sector, a market handling substantial transaction volumes.

The platform’s design prioritises efficiency in one of the most time-consuming aspects of home moving, potentially benefiting service providers and clients alike.

This development follows patterns seen in other prop-tech funding rounds, though openmoove’s Welsh base and job creation emphasis distinguish it locally. No further statements from HAATCH or the angel investors were included in the primary announcement.

The investment aligns with broader efforts to scale tech solutions from Cardiff, reinforcing the city’s role in the UK’s prop-tech ecosystem.

Background of the Development

openmoove was founded in 2024 by Ross McKenzie and Cai Gwinnutt, two Welsh entrepreneurs with careers built in Wales. Over 18 months, the company developed its B2B platform, testing it with early adopters and securing interest from key players in estate agencies and conveyancing. Prior to this funding, openmoove built commercial foundations, including a waiting list of over 200 property professionals, as noted in earlier LinkedIn activity by Nathan Handley.

The platform emerged to tackle inefficiencies in property transactions, integrating existing tools for better communication and reduced admin. This £700,000 round builds on that groundwork, marking a progression from product refinement to national rollout.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Property Professionals

This funding enables openmoove to expand its platform nationwide, potentially offering estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers streamlined tools that integrate with their systems. Wider rollout could reduce administrative burdens and improve transaction efficiency for these professionals, who may adopt it to enhance communication and client outcomes.

The creation of six Cardiff jobs could also bolster local talent in prop-tech, providing employment opportunities for tech and property specialists in Wales. For the broader UK property sector, increased platform availability might standardise workflows, influencing how firms manage transactions, though adoption rates will depend on integration success and user feedback.