People with disabilities will finally have a smoother journey, thanks to this new accessibility app. Neatebox, a fast-growing Edinburgh-based startup, has developed the Welcome accessibility app that helps service providers and businesses provide more disability-friendly service to its customers. The app provides information and support for those people who need navigational assistance. 

Neatebox Founder Gavin Neate, an Edinburgh-based entrepreneur, has spent 18 years working with guide dogs for the Blind Association. Gavin has decided to use that experience to create the Welcome accessibility app, which allows businesses and service providers to be better prepared to deal with customers with disabilities. 

The new Welcome app is similar to the previous Button app, the mobile app that Gavin created to help blind people at pedestrian crossings.

The startup receives fresh funding to grow its app and reach more users

Neatebox this week announced that it has received fresh funding from its latest funding round. The startup has received £180,000 from its existing investors. It set to receive another round of investment later in the year. This brings the total funding raised to £300,000 or about $363,000. 

Neatebox will use the fresh funds to further accelerate the growth of its Welcome app. The company also plans to down on development and improve its software development capabilities. Additionally, the new investment will also be used to expand its marketing activities and grow its team. Neatebox’s investors include Scottish Enterprise, Equity Gap and some private investors. 

According to Gavin, the app provides the service providers information about a customer’s specific disability, time of the customer’s arrival, other support that might need, and even tips on how to interact with the customer with a disability. Some of the big organizations already using the app include the Edinburgh Airport, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Hilton Double Trees Hotels, Jenners and Forth Valley Sensory Centre.

The Welcome app is currently available for download free, with an optional monthly subscription for added features. The app makes traveling easier and more accessible for people with disabilities, another big win for the disability community.