Half a million pound boost for Glasgow loyalty app provider

Swipii, the Glasgow-based loyalty and marketing resource for small businesses, has secured a half a million pound Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise, allowing it to expand its operations.

News of the cash injection came yesterday when business owners who use Swipii’s service to reward loyal customers met Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay at the company’s Glasgow headquarters to discuss the benefits the app has had for them.

Swipii only launched in 2014, but already has a service available at 563 locations across the UK.

Currently it has ten employees, but over the next 12 months will recruit a further 45 staff members while leasing additional space at its St Vincent Street office.

Swipii allows shoppers to sign up via a dedicated iPad at a participating retail outlet and collect points at each visit by scanning a card, key fob or via a mobile app.

Each retailer can tailor the rewards it offers and consumers are regularly notified of the latest deals.

The platform is integrated with social network site Facebook allowing users who download the mobile app to connect via the social network. This enables Swipii to gather additional information which can then tailor future marketing activities while providing users with enhanced store visibility.

Chief executive and co-founder of Swipii Chitresh Sharma, said: “One of the best choices we made was to start a business in Scotland due to its amazing and very supportive ecosystem. We have been helped hugely from getting our first office through to hiring the right the people and support with funding. We are very excited to see Mr McKay visiting us and look forward to talking about our growth and future plans. We are delighted to see such fast growth and hope to repeat a SkyScanner story but this time from Glasgow.”

Scotland finance secretary Derek Mackay said: “Swipii is an excellent example of a Scottish start up at the forefront of software technology. I welcome their investment, supported by a £500,000 Regional Selective Assistance award from Scottish Enterprise, which will lead to the creation of 45 new jobs and secure additional space in Glasgow – testament to the skilled workforce here. I wish Swipii all the best for the future.”

Adrian Gillespie, managing director of growth companies, innovation and infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, added: “With a strong, thriving and connected digital economy, Scotland is the ideal location for this ambitious young company. Swipii has joined the many startups which benefit from Scotland’s top technology talent and we look forward to working with the company as it progresses its impressive expansion plan.”