Fast-growing Bristol-based software developer marketplace platform Deazy is poised for further rapid expansion after receiving a £5m investment.
The firm, which was launched in 2016, grew by two-and-a-half times last year – an increase it attributes to its model, technology and its ability to execute, along with the increasing demand for developers globally following the pandemic. 
At the same time, changes in IR35 legislation has made it harder for businesses to access software developers.
Deazy, which has a mission to make development easy, connects businesses with high-quality development teams by using its network of 3,000-plus developers along with providing broad technical expertise.
The firm, based at Bristol’s Runway East hub, will use the funding from Puma Private Equity to scale its commercial teams to accelerate growth, further build out its development teams and double down on its platform vision.
This will include completing its transition to enable a self-serve platform-based experience, meaning every project and interaction will be managed via the Deazy platform, enabling a more efficient and scalable model.
It also plans to hire a chief product officer with high profile marketplace credentials to sustain the delivery of a market-leading platform experience to clients, which range from enterprises and venture capital-backed scale-ups to some of Europe’s biggest agencies.
Deazy CEO Andy Peddar co-founded the business after experiencing first-hand the frustration and disempowerment caused by tech teams letting clients down.
Andy, pictured, said “There has long been a shortage of development talent around the world, but this has only accelerated sharply since the pandemic and the subsequent focus on digital transformation. 
“The investment from Puma will enable us to scale our commercial teams on both sides of the marketplace and take our platform experience to the next level.
“This is a true moment in time for Deazy. Our shift to a platform and marketplace business has opened up incredible opportunities for our clients and delivery partners, and in doing so, also for Deazy as we bring efficiencies to a global problem.”
He said over the next year the firm wanted to scale significantly into this opportunity without compromising on the cultural values or trusted partnerships it had built to date.
“The global demand for developers is vastly outstripping supply, which is what made Deazy such a compelling proposition for us.
“Deazy connects companies to software developers with a differentiated strategy that has delivered impressive growth to date.
Puma investment manager Kelvin Reader added “Andy has built a fantastic team and platform with an inherently scalable model, and the business has an attractive opportunity to capitalise on strong market fundamentals.
“We are excited to partner with the Deazy team, working together to grow and develop the business during the next stage of their journey.”
