Graduate wins funding for pet sitter ID platform

A university graduate has won £5,000 of funding for his idea for a verification platform for pet owners to make essential checks of those who look after their animals.

Faithful Freeman impressed judges at Coventry University's "Dragons' Den style competition" with a pitch for his platform called WalkIdentity.

The 31-year-old, who recently graduated with a master's in cyber security, said he believed there was a big gap in the market for the idea, which would ensure owners knew the ID of their dog walkers or pet sitters.

"Pet owners are often letting these people into their homes, to look after their animals, so I think it's important that people are able to make these checks," he said.

Freeman was one of several entrepreneurs to pitch at the event, with prize funding made available by Santander UK through its partnership with the university.

The winning pitches benefited from a share of £8,000, with Freeman receiving the largest prize of £5,000 to help develop his idea.

He said the grant would help grow the business and would help with trademarking and a future pet walker event.

"This is actually my second time in the competition. I didn't win the funding first time but I took all the judges' comments on board for my latest pitch," he said.

"It can be nerve-wracking pitching your idea but if you believe in what you're doing and you're passionate about it, it really helps."

Husen Ismail, business start-up manager at the university, said the competition gave student founders the platform to showcase their ideas, face genuine scrutiny and access funding.

He added £21,000 in start-up funding grants had been invested into the founders community in the current academic year.

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