Success for young PropTech founder helping first time buyers

A young entrepreneur has won an award for creating an online service making it simpler for couples to buy their first home.

Kieran Witt, from Southend-on-Sea in Essex, says was compelled to create his digital property platform Kotini, to make things easier for couples looking to find their first home, after having to visit many unsuitable properties.

“Kotini is a digital service that makes it easier for couples to find and manage buying their first home together. I created the business after experiencing first-hand how poorly buyers are supported through the home buying journey” he says.

“It focuses on couple buying a home and will launch with a feature that enables home hunters to share, discuss and rate properties that make their shortlist.

“Kotini works by giving you and your partner a place to log all the properties you might want to buy, which you both agree on, where you can rate and capture notes.

“Some will say you can already do this using other property platforms, but what makes Kotini different is that is creates a group property shortlist for you and your partner and not individual lists.”

Winners of the Young Innovator Award, run by Innovate UK, are awarded a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.

And Witt adds: “I’m honoured and excited as there has been thousands of applications for the programme every year and winning has validated that Kotini has what it takes to be a game-change.

“I’m also so thankful for the opportunity the programme will give me to then be able to give back as I am not from the best background, I never went to University, and I was homeless for a period in my teens.

“The Innovate UK programme gives me a platform to inspire others with similar backgrounds to take their business ideas to the next level whilst at the same-time levelling up mine.

“Did I think I would win it? No. Did I think Kotini would? Yes, as I have every confidence in Kotini.”