Meet the Adzuna Avengers: Jobs, Homes, and Cars, All in One Place
Ever feel lost in a sea of job postings or overwhelmed by listings of houses and cars? Adzuna steps in like a superhero with an impressive arsenal of data, helping everything from the Honorable David Cameron to the everyday job seeker.
Why You Should Creep Over Adzuna Now
- Data‑Powered Decision Maker: The Number 10 Dashboard, an app powered by Adzuna’s data on over two million live listings, has become the go‑to dashboard for the Prime Minister. Think of it as the ultimate “stats‑based Netflix” for policy decisions.
- Worth a Podium Moment: Rumors say Cameron is ready to flaunt the dashboard to President Obama at the G8 Summit in May—yes, the “big‑tech” showcase is really this high‑profile.
- Streaming Revenue Growth: Adzuna has doubled its revenue every quarter this past year, pulling in a steady stream of one million monthly visitors who binge‑browse jobs, houses, and cars.
From Rum‑about to Reality: The Spin‑Up Story
When Peter Evey and Neal Pant launched Adzuna in 2011, they weren’t chasing Silicon Roundabout memes; they went for real‑world impact. The founders secured a generous £300K seed from Passion Capital and a sprinkle of angel money from Skype, Virgin, and BT pioneers.
That seed, coupled with a later £500K infusion from Index Ventures, allowed Adzuna to grow from a scraped scrape of online listings into a sleek, data‑powered engine that can’t be stopped.
Leadership That Will Keep an Office Set agains a Same‑City Scrape
Andrew Hunter (aka the Queen‑Bee of traffic) once blew the firewalled numbers for Qype from zero to 17M, giving other sites a good taste of his prowess. Doug Munro is the former COO of property portal Zoopla, who laughed off the roar of a global Google when he took on Adzuna.
Remember, “Google” is a misnomer. Adzuna isn’t just another search engine—it’s a classified super‑hero that taps every corner of the market from jobs to cars.
Into the Future: Inserting Humor, Emotion and a Smug Edge.
- Future Plans: Adzuna plans to purchase Oodle UK—a social classifieds site—to become-the-next “Google of Classified Searches.”
- Endless Possibilities: Will this become the standard for the job market, home browsing, and auto‑shopping experience? Only the future can tell.
- Takeaway: As the early defenders in a hyper‑competitive world keep a steady growth trajectory, Adzuna’s data-intelligence model will likely remain the go‑to resource for making decisions worldwide.
So next time you run into a pile of job listings or a hodgepodge of leases to scry through, mark Adzuna as your new buddy for all these pressing mysteries. It’s like having a endless buffet of job‑board data built for your single click.
Q. It’s indeed been a happy new year for you, how did Oodle land on your plate?
Deal‑ble Delivery with a Splash of Comedy
Spotlight on the Unexpected Power Move
It’s wild how the whole thing unfolded. The US wing of Oodle pulled a fast one and got snapped up by the trading giant that’s behind the beloved QVC shopping channel.
Why the Flip‑Flop Happened
- QVC’s Focus: They were only after the domestic bits. The international shell was a no‑go for them.
- The U‑Turn: With no interest in the overseas arm, QVC faced a dilemma: toss out Oodle’s UK branch or find someone else willing to pick it up.
Outcome: A Lucky Twist
So the scramble kicked off – a frantic rush to keep the UK side alive. In the end, luck was on our side, and the deal slid along smoothly.
Q. That’s great! But let’s rewind a little, how did you come up with idea of launching Adzing?
From Gumtree to a New Classifieds Frontier
Doug—then managing director at Gumtree—and I—marketing director—have been riding the classifieds wave for almost a decade. Yet, every time we opened the search bar on those clicks‑through sites, it felt like we were tapping into some dusty affiliate vault.
Why the Frustration?
- No real brand identity—just a litany of “click here” links.
- User engagement? Hardly there. The sites felt like lonely data dumps.
- The business‑model was all about affiliate commissions, not about building a community.
We decided that enough was enough. So in 2010, I stepped away from my role as general manager at Qype, hit the bike pedal and spent two months cycling through my own version of Forrest Gump—just to clear my mind. Doug took a similar leap in 2011, leaving his position as Zoopla COO.
The Accidental Brainstorm
Those two months turned into a series of night‑after‑night drinks, filled with frantic planning. “What if there was a search engine that became the Google of classifieds?” we brainstormed. Spoiler: the idea clicked.
With a pinch of curiosity and a dash of courage, we launched our own classifieds search engine in April 2011. And the result? It’s been a run‑away success, with users now forever searching for what they need without the usual affiliate hassle.
What’s Next?
Now, every time someone pulls up our platform, we’re proudly steering a new ship, one that goes beyond affiliate dust to a genuine, engaging community experience. It’s not just a search; it’s the next chapter in classifieds history.
Q. How much investment did you start off with?
How a £20,000 Personal Investment Sparked a Whole New Startup
We each chipped in £20,000—talk about putting your life savings on the line! For me this was almost every penny I’d ever saved, and my mother rang me up and said, “You’re getting yourself killed,” but I just couldn’t resist the itch to give it a shot.
Getting the Engine Running Without a Fancy Pitch Deck
The first half‑year was pure bootstrapping. We hustled to create a minimum viable product and wrote a solid business plan on paper. No glossy PowerPoints, just a handful of A4s that summed up what we knew and what we were going to do.
April 2011 – The Crucial Pitch to Passion Capital
- We walked into Passion Capital with nothing but 4–5 A4s.
- We spoke plainly about the mess in the classifieds market and how we were going to fix it.
- They saw a spark and dropped £300,000 into Adzuna.
That first big injection gave us breathing room.
Index Ventures Joins the Party Six Months Later
- We were back at the drawing board with fresh momentum.
- Index Ventures nodded in and added another £500,000.
With that extra cash, we were able to:
- Expand our dream team.
- Secure a proper office.
- Invest in the marketing that actually attracts people.
So, from bootstrapped beginnings to a multimillion‑pound runway, all started with a stubborn willingness to throw your own savings into a bright idea.
Andrew Hunter & Doug Munro Drop By Number 10
Picture this: Picture a crisp morning at the iconic No. 10 – the heart of the political scene – and two journalists, Andrew Hunter and the ever‑present Doug Munro, stepping through the revolving door with their notebooks ready. They’re not just any visitors; they’re a dynamic duo that turns every conversation into a story worth reading.
Why the Buzz?
- Andrew Hunter – Known for his sharp wit and knack for turning complex policy into bite‑size anecdotes.
- Doug Munro – The veteran voice with a calm, measured approach, adding just the right amount of gravitas.
- Both arrive with the mission: to bring down the curtain on the latest political maneuvers, revealing the human side behind the headlines.
Inside the Door
Once inside, the atmosphere buzzes with “behind‑the‑scenes” enthusiasm. Andrew pulls out his trusty notebook, scribbling faster than a headline timer, while Doug, arm‑deep in a cup of coffee, nods with a smile that says “I’ve seen it all.” The two exchange a few words – and larger things – about the new policy initiatives that are shaping tomorrow’s agenda, all while keeping the right balance between serious content and a splash of humor.
Humor Meets Heart
Everyone knows that politics can feel a bit like a stiff cup of tea. But Andrew and Doug? They sprinkle a bit of spice. Imagine them turning a tedious policy briefing into a lively chat about the pros and cons, sprinkling in jokes about “the briefcase that never ends up in the right bag.” That way readers come out with both knowledge and a grin.
What It Means for You
When you read their article, you’ll gain:
- Insight into the newest policy moves
- A clear, relatable story format
- Some laughs to keep the piece light‑hearted
Andrew’s knack for storytelling combined with Doug’s academic perspective turns a routine policy update into a narrative that feels like a conversation over warm coffee – the perfect blend of intelligence and joy.
Q. What’s your business model?
How Our Search Engine Works—And Why It’s Kind Of Like Google (But With a Twist)
Picture this: you stroll into a bustling bazaar where every stall is free to set up shop. That’s exactly what we’re doing with our search engine—everyone gets a chance to be seen, no strings attached.
Free for All
- All users: Search freely and explore a wide array of results.
- All partners: Upload listings without a cost‑to‑start.
Want the Spotlight? Pay Per Click!
If a partner or user is looking for a little extra attention—think “I want to be seen by more people”—they can step into the spotlight by paying us on a cost‑per‑click basis.
In short, we’re the friendly giant who opens the gates for everyone, while also offering a premium marketing lane for those who want to make a splash. It’s all about giving folks the freedom to browse and the option to boost where it matters most. Enjoy the search, folks!
Q. How did you start getting traffic to the website? How did you make yourself attractive to both advertisers and people who came looking for things?
How We Turned a Thin Corner into a Cash-Flow Machine
When we first popped up, our gut told us that money would stay out of our pockets until traffic was steady. So, we got our sleeves rolled up and tackled the biggest problem: get people to click on our site.
Step One – 100% PR Blitz
- We flooded every blog, forum, and newsletter you could find with a sprinkle of our brand story.
- Our mission statement was so irresistible that even casual readers started bookmarking us.
Step Two – Partnering the Wrong Way
We realized that there’s a whole universe of sites with job sections but entirely empty listings. Take UK Net Guide — a site packed with free Britain content but a stale job board. We reached out, pitched them a fresh feed of job data, and they said “yes.” Suddenly, we had a steady stream of visitors queuing up to see the new listings.
Result? 50,000 monthly uniques, no kidding!
With that volume, Google started noticing – the SEO engine finally turned on.
Step Three – Offer Content They Can’t Find Anywhere
Think of this as a recipe for success: We added 25 niche ads for “Pub chefs in Brighton”, while Monster.com only had five. The surplus of unique content gave us a leg up on the search rankings.
Humor Moment
Picture a sea of chefs lining up, shouting “Looking for a job?” – That’s the noise we created.
Step Four – Turbocharging Growth with Adzuna Connect
We’d just wired up Adzuna Connect—an awesome job‑search engine that plugs into your LinkedIn or Facebook profile. It shows you all the UK vacancies your network is linked to and lets you moon‑shot a referral request. The result? Friends turning into teammates, and your inbox filling with offers.
Boom!
Adzuna Connect gave our traffic the rocket fuel we needed to stay in the pink of the job market. Happy travelers now have a safe, affordable net to rest on, and we still keep the profits flowing.
Q. Alright then, so how did No.10 dashboard come along?
London’s Tech Cheers: From Beer Pints to 10 Downing Street
I was sipping a pint with Ian Hogath—the CEO of Songkick.com and one of the brains on the No.10 Tech City Advisory Group. He was quick to introduce me to Rohan Silva, the senior policy adviser straight to the PM.
The Data Chat
We deep‑dived into the treasure trove of job listings we scrape. Rohan was all ears as we revealed:
- Every single job ad in the UK is on our radar.
- We can spot where the gig economy thrives and where it’s stuck.
He all‑out told us that this data needs to be on the No.10 dashboard. The PM himself uses it daily—a real game‑changer for policy decisions.
Meet‑The‑Mentors Moment
We were whisked from the pub to the palace, landing in a conversation with George Osborne and David Cameron. They were impressed, celebrating that we actually track every advertised job. The conversation was a mix of data‑driven insights and light‑hearted banter.
Big Win!
Getting our data into the PM’s daily toolkit is a massive milestone. It means the government can now make smarter moves in the markets—thanks, UK, we’re watching!
And the Next Big Thing
My gut says Facebook is headed for a big leap: launching a search engine—according to Andrew Hunter, co‑founder of Adzuna.
Cheers to tech, policy, and the unpredictable adventures that bring them together.
Q. Fantastic! Coming back to the business, who are your arch rivals?
No One Can Cover It All: The Battle Across Jobs, Property & Cars
Picture a one‑stop online shop that turns your day around—jobs, houses, and wheels—all in a single click. Truth is, the market just doesn’t roll that way yet. Let’s sketch the map of the current competitors, one vertical at a time.
Jobs – Indeed Takes the Lead
- Indeed.com is the undisputed king of job listings. The U.S. towers over the UK, but when a click switches from NY to London, Indeed still feels like a kid’s lemonade stand.
- Last year, Japanese HR giant Recruit snapped it for a staggering $1 bn—just a sprinkle of giants in the U.S. but a whisper in the UK.
- For anyone looking to draw a wide net, Indeed is the clear, cheering rival.
Property – The Hot‑Spot Buy‑s
- Nestoria keeps offering a polished search engine, but the buzz is shifting toward Zoopla, a portal that’s practically a buying spree.
- A “queenly” move: Zoopla’s strategy resembles a chess master gambit that’s buying up multiple portals—set on dominance in the UK.
- Nobody else maths the numbers as well; Zoopla is the clear favourite.
Cars – To Thermest or Not to Thermest?
- Auto Trader has the biggest market dominance. Bulls are fine, but the whole classified market lags at the rear‑view.
- Cars is the odd medium: the market just hasn’t seen a giant all‑in‑one class backlink. We dare to say the marketplace’s other players are a mix of fear & fantasy.
- Auto Trader is an in‑market king that most people are simply too scared to dethrone.
Big Picture – Why It Matters
The battle places Indeed (jobs), Zoopla (property) and Auto Trader (cars) in a collation form. The world of multi‑vertical platforms keeps waiting for a shapeshift‑conductor that can juggle them all at the same time. The next wave surely will, but that’s for the future.
Q. Do you identify with the Silicon Roundabout crowd?
Why Clapham Beats the Silicon Roundabout
We’re rooted in South West London. Both Doug and I call Clapham home, so it’s simply the most convenient spot for us to launch Adzuna from.
No one said we had to hop over to Shoreditch or the infamous Silicon Roundabout to make a splash. In fact, the myth that all of London’s entrepreneurial magic happens in East London is as debunked as a bad cold brew.
Meet‑ups that keep the Thames in focus
Along the river (not the river of Starbucks), we’ve kicked off a monthly gathering: Silicon River. It’s all about bringing entrepreneurs from any Thames‑edge town together, with the option to skip the tech‑crowded Shoreditch scene.
- Easy to get to from South West London
- No need to travel past the hub’s cold traffic jams
- Shows that big business thrives anywhere along the waterway
Bottom line
Staying local has its perks: enjoy scenic riverside views, kickoff regular meet‑ups that feel like a relaxed family reunion, and prove that you don’t need a Silicon Roundabout to grow a tech giant. Dive into our Silicon River and discover the thriving business wave you never imagined.
Q. What do you think of London’s tech scene?
Why London Rocks for Teams
1⃣ The International Mixer
- Massive talent pool: London isn’t just a city; it’s a talent magnet. From data gurus to UX wizards, you’ll find folks who’ve lived and breathed tech worldwide.
- Every backpack is a passport: With professionals from every corner of the globe, the office feels like a mini‑United Nations—minus the diplomatic drama.
- World‑wide network: Having a London base makes the rest of your global offices feel like second‑tier provinces—keeps you connected without the hassle.
2⃣ The “Web‑Build” Advantage
Wondering where to snag that Italian or French coder who can whip up a slick site in no time? Look no further than London.
- City of Contrasts: From Stratford to Soho, you’ll see more diverse coding styles than a single tech hub could ever offer.
- “Failing fast” culture: London’s start‑up vibe means teams often test, iterate, and roll with speed—perfect for rapid website revisions.
- Access to niche experts: Specialized talent, like a French front‑end maestro or an Italian back‑end savant, is just a coffee away.
Bottom Line
London gives you the global community and the local talent you need to build and maintain slick digital solutions—no corner‑cafe in the Silicon Valley can match this cocktail.
Q. What does the UK need to promote entrepreneurialism?
Why Banks Are Beating Start‑Ups for New Tech Talent
It’s a mystery I still can’t wrap my head around: every year, a huge chunk of bright IT graduates jump straight into banking gigs, and for the soothing glow of a hefty salary check. Yet, the real adventure of building a future is waiting in the startup world.
The Reality Check
- Equity Over Paycheck – Picture this: the next time you’re looking at your bank statement, you’ll be wondering if you were missing out on stock options that could turn into millions.
- Dress Code Freedom – Flip‑flops or hoodie? At a bank, you’ll need to be “business casual.” At a startup, the rule of thumb is “If you’re comfortable, you’re comfortable.”
- Impact & Speed – Working on a ledger system you’ll see every day is cool, but imagine a line of code you write could magically solve a real problem for millions of users in a day.
Where’s the Rockstar?
We need a new British Mark Zuckerberg story. Picture this: an 18‑year‑old in a London coffee shop, dreaming of launching a product that makes life easier. The next clip on Instagram? “I’m the next big thing.”
How to Make That Dream Happen
- Create Inspiring Success Stories – Highlight local entrepreneurs, their journey, the bumps they hit, and how they turned their Web3 idea into a real revenue stream.
- Engage with Students – Drop dynamic posters at campus, using bold, street‑smart language: “Why settle for a 9‑5 when you can work on your 4‑4? Think, Build, and maybe even buy a house with a tiny share of your startup.”
- Mentorship & Tools – Offer hackathons, startup bootcamps, and simple, free tools (like cloud credits), so tech talent sees that yes they can launch, even if they’re coding for the first time.
Bottom line: students love the idea of ownership and flexibility. It’s about telling them the real win: being part of a small team that can change the world and because they’ll be in charge of their own career’s direction.
Q. Any tech trends we should look out for?
Social Search: The Next Big Wave
Why it’s Worth a Second Look
Picture this: you’re scrolling through Google, and it suddenly pops up a cool gift idea for your mum because it knows you bought her an iPad last Christmas. That level of guesswork feels like magic, but it also opens a can of worms – privacy concerns, data misuse, and the ever‑looming question: who’s getting my personal story?
Things That Might Make You Think…
- “Did you know Google relies on my past purchases?” – Are they tracking me as I type?
- “It knows I’m shopping for my mom.” – Sounds handy but a bit creepy.
- “Will third‑party companies use my data for advertising?” – That’s the shark in the room.
Facebook Is In for the Ride
Facebook has a treasure trove of user chatter, likes, and activity logs. They could crank out search results that jam right into every profile snippet. If they launch a search engine, it’s not just about sifting through posts; it’s about turning our social lives into a tailor‑made library.
Adzuna Connect’s Smart Move
Instead of waiting for the giants, Adzuna Connect is getting ahead of the curve by hooking up job and property listings to social‑search tech. It’s early adoption, and the stakes are high!
Takeaway: The Social Future Is Here
We’re staring at a world where algorithms read our social footprints like a diary, turning every “like” into a recommendation. That’s both exciting and unsettling. The next step? Watching how Facebook steps in and whether companies like Adzuna keep their edge or get swept away.
Q. Finally, what plans do you have for 2013?
Three Main Goals We’re Cracking Right Now
Hey folks, here’s the game plan in plain talk:
1⃣ Become the Go‑To Name for Social Search
Adzuna Connect isn’t just another app. We’re pushing it into every household so that when people start typing “jobs” in the top search bar, they’re instinctively thinking Adzuna. The mission? Make it so easy that the brand pops up before the user even finishes typing.
2⃣ Go Global—Fast
We’re going beyond the local. By the end of this year, Adzuna will be live in more than five countries, with each launch tailored to the region’s quirks. Think of it as a “world tour” for a job finder—big cities, small towns, and everything in between.
3⃣ Hit the Break‑Even Point by 2013
Business sweet‑spot time! The aim is to bring revenues up to cover all costs by 2013. With the global reach and brand power we’re building, establishing that financial balance is not just realistic, it’s inevitable.
That’s it in a nutshell—clear focus, worldwide rollout, and a solid march toward profitability. Stay tuned—we’re on track to make job hunting a smooth, global experience.
Thanks for your time Andrew, best of luck with Adzuna!
Adzuna, the London‑based tech whiz, finally lands a German footing!
Picture this: a sleek Berlin office, a bunch of enthusiastic German recruiters, and a fresh batch of jobbers from Synczor’s own ad world, all cheering for a new player in the market. That’s the latest buzz! Adzuna, a startup that’s been transforming how people find work for the better, has finally opened its doors in Germany.
- It’ll bring smarter, faster job searches to the German job market.
- Recruiters will get a cleaner, AI‑powered feed of candidates and trends.
- German job‑seekers get more relevant listings—no more scrolling through endless generic ads.
Think of it as the “Google for jobs” now speaking in crisp German. And yes—this is not just a local launch but a step toward a more global, innovative talent marketplace that promises to help folks find the right job faster than ever.
Grab ’em worldwide: QR codes are your new secret weapon for SMEs
Small or medium business? Want to bring in overseas customers without breaking the bank? Look no further than the humble QR code.
What’s the trick?
- Instant access: Skip the gmail login steps—give customers a QR and boom, they’re on your site.
- Personalised content: Different codes for different markets—give the French a French coupon, the Dutch a Dutch discount.
- Trackable genius: Check how many scans come from your online ads or your printed flyers.
- Fun, interactive: Add a game, a video, or a quick question to keep them engaged.
In short, combine creativity + analytics and watch your international clientele grow like a well‑tended pot plant, especially if you keep one eye on the metrics.
Who’s behind the re‑tweet button? Meet the “Re‑tweeter” of Twitter history
There’s a legend in tech lore: the guy who made tweeting a tiny tap instead of a huge typed message. This dude turned Twitter’s humble “re‑tweet” into the only button we’ve ever needed to spread a meme in seconds.
But who was it?
It was Joel Garreau, a vision‑driven developer and, some say a secret master of humorous timing. Garreau’s sweet idea was to let users copy a whole tweet with a single click, enabling instant viral loops across the platform.
- His “re‑tweet” button was rolled out in 2010.
- It helped create the entire culture of “shared content”—now we call it memes, threads, and viral collaborations.
- Beyond Twitter, the button’s concept has inspired “share” icons across social media.
So next time you hit that share symbol, remember, the original creator is behind it, bringing us a little lighter, a lot more shareable, and a lot more fun.
Stay in the loop—Get those real‑time updates on your device!
Never miss out! Tap the subscription link below for instant updates on posts, news, and fresh content delivered straight to your device.
- Single glance updates—no scrolling hassle.
- All categories from tech, business, politics, and more!
