Limber, the Bristol-based digital platform that makes it easier for bars and restaurants to hire part-time staff, has received a funding boost to accelerate its roll-out.
The platform allows businesses in the food-and-drink sector to fill their shifts at the touch of a button while also enabling them build pools of trusted workers – both critical at a time when a spate of new openings in and around Bristol is creating a shortage of experienced and reliable staff. 
It automatically handles everything from signing up to payroll, offering flexibility and ease-of-use to hirers and workers and removing all administrative overheads.
Limber was a member of SETsquared, the global number one tech incubator based in Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub.
Now, as it rolls out the platform, it has raised more than £250,000 funding in a round led by the Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC), which has invested £150,000.
Limber was co-founded by former technology lawyer Chris Sanderson and ex-technology strategist Richard Lees, pictured, who developed the platform alongside their partners JMAN Group.
Chris: “We launched the business in Bristol due to the large saturation of independent businesses here, all of which we thought could benefit from a better alternative for hiring part-time staff.
“There is a real variety of individuals using Limber to mix and match their shifts across the city. Many are students looking for bar and restaurant shifts, but other users include parents who have specific hours they want to work, people on career breaks, creative freelancers or just anyone looking for top-up hours from another job. Basically, Limber is for anyone who wants greater variety and more flexibility in their work life.”
Richard added: “It’s great to be part of Bristol’s burgeoning tech scene. Having raised our first round of funding we’ll be growing our user base and investing heavily in the Limber platform.”
Jerry Barnes of Bristol Private Equity Club said its members – all established business figures in the city – had been “totally bowled” over by Limber.
“It is well-executed and has a very practical and scalable idea in a thriving sector of the market,” he said.
“It is exactly the sort of business that our club looks to support and we believe we can make a real difference, which is why we have invested £150,000.”
Bristol Private Equity Club, which has 48 members, has invested £1.26m in local growth businesses since it was founded in May last year.
The club invests its members’ money in projects needing between £100,000 and £500,000 of equity funding – filling a gap between start-up capital and venture capital funds.
