Appear Here, the UK's largest online marketplace for short-term retail space, is pleased to announce that it has closed a 1 million pound funding round.

Howzat Partners (backers of Trivago), MMC Ventures (backers of AlexandAlexa) and Forward Investment Partners (existing investors and backers of uSwitch and Hailo) took part. Other participants in this round include Meyer Bergman, Playfair Capital and Ballpark Ventures, as well as Marc Hazan (of Spotify) and Miroma Ventures (investors in Pinterest).
Appear Here is the only company providing an online booking platform for short-term retail space to the leading property companies British Land, Legal & General and Capital & Regional. The company was founded last year by 21-year-old Ross Bailey - an entrepreneur who started out with his own pop-up shop on Carnaby Street, selling limited edition T-shirts to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The involvement of both established investment funds and individuals from the digital and property industries confirms the growth potential of Appear Here's disruptive business model. Appear Here will use the funding to support accelerated geographic expansion - making even more short-term retail spaces available across the UK - to scale up its operations to meet increasing demand and to continue strengthening its technology team. Appear Here received early-stage investment in December from Forward Investment Partners, Ballpark Ventures and angel investors.

Sascha Hausmann, partner at Howzat added: 'We are always on the lookout for potential game-changers and that is what we have found in Appear Here - a company that is disrupting the commercial real-estate market and providing new revenue sources and marketing opportunities to landlords, retailers, brands and entrepreneurs. With thousands of brands and retailers already on its books, and an ever-increasing number of spaces available to hire, the potential for growth is massive.'

Appear Here counts many well-known brands among its repeat customers including Google, Microsoft, American Apparel and Diageo as well as smaller independents and entrepreneurs such as Stylist Magazine, Peak-A-Boo Vintage and Candy Kittens - founded by Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing. Since launching in January 2013, Appear Here has signed up over 3000 brands and retailers, giving them access to a database of 250 spaces nationwide, and has gathered over 450 years' worth of projects in the pipeline.

Ross Bailey, CEO and founder of Appear Here commented: 'This funding round allows us to continue laying the foundations of our disruptive business, based upon helping landlords and tenants use retail space in an efficient and profitable manner. We are delighted to welcome on board our new investors, who bring with them such impressive expertise in technology, property and media. Brand cycles are speeding up, average lease lengths are coming down and consumers want rich buying experiences that aren't confined to the internet. These trends point to a great future for Appear Here.'

Nic Brisbourne, director of Forward Investment Partners said: 'What attracted us to Appear Here, and specifically the fresh talent of Ross Bailey, was the company's ability to spot a real gap in the market and then move swiftly to execute, becoming the current leader in the short-term retail space. Appear Here is a great fit with our strategy of backing businesses that support the next revolution in online retail, which is going to see online and offline blurring - Appear Here enables that to happen more efficiently.'

Appear Here connects commercial landlords who have space with brands, retailers and entrepreneurs who want to hire retail space for short-term projects such as pop-up shops, product launches and brand showcases - in an online, platform-based process that is as easy as booking a hotel room.