University Compare secures £75,000 from Sportingbet founder

University comparison website University Compare has bagged £75,000 investment from Mark Blandford; angel investor and founder of online gambling online business Sportingbet plc.

Founded in by 2012 by Owen O’Neill while studying at Anglia Ruskin University, University Compare enables prospective students to compare more than 35,000 courses at 265 institutions across the UK.

Using feedback from former students and a social led rating system, users can compare average graduate salaries, employment rates, student satisfaction and even the cost of a local pint at the university they’re interested in.

Following the closure of a £177,200 Seedrs round just last week, this latest funding will enable the start-up to add more universities to its platform, expand further into Europe and add new hires.

O’Neill commented: “We’re so thrilled to have impressed Blandford and have his input at University Compare.

“We’re operating in an emerging market and when Blandford started Sportingbet plc. he was in the same boat. Having that level of expertise nearby will prove invaluable going forward.”

Blandford added: “University Compare has a clear value proposition in a growing marketing, in my opinion O’Neill understands the opportunity and how to execute on it. I look forward to working with him.”