StudentCrowd, a Wolverhampton-based company aiming to become the “Tripadvisor of higher education”, has raised over £2.5 million through the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund managed by Mercia Ventures and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. The funding will enable the platform to expand its services to cover other student services and enhance its current platform. StudentCrowd provides verified reviews from current students on universities, courses, and accommodation. It claims to have the most accurate and comprehensive database of its kind, with over 1.7 million students using the site in 2022.
Moreover, StudentCrowd also provides data and insights to organizations operating in the higher education sector, such as PwC, Knight Frank, CBRE, JLL, and education providers. The latest funding sees the appointment of Glenn Jones, co-founder and former CEO of recruitment platform Madgex, as chair. StudentCrowd previously raised over £600,000 from private investors, and now plans to create 15 new jobs.
“Choosing a university is one of the biggest decisions that a young person can make,” said Paul Humphreys, co-founder of StudentCrowd. “Our reviews also provide valuable feedback to universities and accommodation providers, enabling them to further improve their services. This funding round will enable us to enhance the platform and pursue our goal to become the Tripadvisor of higher education.”
According to a UCAS survey, 77% of students consider peer reviews an important aspect of their higher education decision-making process. Rafael Joseph, Investment Associate at Mercia Ventures, said, “StudentCrowd is the only platform of its kind that offers reviews from verified students and covers universities, courses, and accommodation. The company has huge potential for growth, and this investment will help it establish its position as the leader in the UK market and prepare for international expansion.”
