Fintech Start-Up CurveBlock Seeks to Revolutionise UK’s Approach to Housing

Leeds based start-up CurveBlock has joined the prestigious Barclays Rise Academy as it seeks to provide a solution to the UK’s need for more sustainable and greener homes.

CurveBlock, who already boast Team GB Paralympian Anthony Cotterill and former Leeds United and Liverpool footballer Dominic Matteo, and his wife Jessica, along with Kieth Madeley, MBE (AKA Mr. Yorkshire) as ambassadors, has announced that it will join the Barclays Rise Academy this year which provides a range of advice, support and technical expertise to some of the UK’s most promising start-ups.

CurveBlock is seeking to revolutionise the UK’s approach to green and energy efficient homes by allowing ordinary investors to invest in real estate development.

Founded in 2018, CurveBlock finances and builds carbon neutral, energy positive homes – meaning their homes produce more energy than they consume – which can help to reduce people’s energy bills, and help the UK meet its climate change targets. The UK’s housing stock is currently responsible for around 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. CurveBlock believes that it can provide an innovative solution to meeting the UK’s need for good quality, carbon zero, energy positive homes, which will be vital to the UK meeting its net-zero targets, reducing energy consumption and tackling fuel poverty.

CurveBlock, who are already delivering energy positive housing projects in Wales, Chaldon, Scotland and around the UK, also gives 5% of its profits to help tackle homelessness in areas where they operate. The UK Government has said that it wants to build 300,000 homes every year in order to meet the UK’s growing need for decent and affordable homes, however a recent committee of MPs in Parliament cast doubt on the UK’s ability to hit this target.

CurveBlock believes that innovative start-ups and SMEs could help the UK meet its targets. The Federation of Master Builders has said that SME builders could deliver 65,000 homes by 2025 given the right conditions. CurveBlock has already started work on building energy positive homes across the UK and has also been approached by the Canadian High Commission and the the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan about launching CurveBlock’s proposition overseas.

CurveBlock CEO and Co-Founder Gary Woodhead said “Joining the Barclays Rise Academy is a significant milestone in CurveBlock’s journey. Being part of the Rise Academy cohort could present us with a world of possibilities. We are excited to have access to the Academy’s invaluable resources and guidance which can help us further develop and expand our platform. As a company we are promoting shared prosperity and a more inclusive real estate investment landscape, so we all grow together.”

Joey Jones, Co-Founder of CurveBlock said “We passionately believe that addressing the UK’s need for good quality, sustainable housing can only be met through embracing innovative solutions, and that all new developments in the UK should be built to carbon-zero standards in order to meet its carbon reduction and Net Zero targets. CurveBlock is leading the way providing an innovative solution to tackling the UK housing crisis through carbon zero energy positive developments.”

Dominic Matteo, former Leeds United and Liverpool footballer, and CurveBlock Ambassador said: “I am honoured to partner with CurveBlock and cannot wait for the world to know about this incredible team of people.”