From vision to venture: How the Cranfield Seed Fund helped Zeroox redefine renting

In an industry where tenant voices are often overlooked, Zeroox Ltd is on a mission to shift the narrative. Founded in February 2022, Zeroox began as a free digital toolkit for private landlords. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive, tech-enabled home rental solution — improving the experience for landlords, tenants, and service providers alike. At the heart of their transformation? A resident-first philosophy and a commitment to shaking up the status quo of property management.

Their unique approach — prioritising tenants in a traditionally landlord-driven market, has already gained traction. In less than a year, and without any marketing spend, over 120 international students have confidently chosen their rental homes using their remote property reports, complete with photos, videos, and local insights.

As an alumna of Cranfield University, Carina Chen, Founder of Zeroox Ltd, was inspired by the entrepreneurial support woven into the university’s ecosystem. She first heard about the Cranfield Seed Fund and the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship through a fellow classmate, and signed up to the Bettany Centre’s Start-Up Weekend, where she learnt about the depth of resources available to early-stage founders. That weekend ignited a spark, and applying for the Seed Fund soon became a natural next step.

Receiving the Cranfield Seed Fund was a defining moment for Zeroox. It allowed Zeroox to move beyond concept, supporting early product development, prototyping, and user testing. And perhaps more importantly, it gave them the confidence to explore, validate, and refine our market fit with agility.

This early-stage support helped to attract additional backing, including the Milton Keynes Tech Fund, the CBC Scholarship Grant, and entry into the Cranfield Internship Programme, where they collaborated with MSc Management students to craft a strategic growth roadmap. Working with Cranfield’s students allowed Zeroox to sharpen their long-term strategy, while staying true to their mission: making the rental experience better, fairer, and smarter for everyone involved.

Carina states:

“Access to university resources, along with the strong reputation of Cranfield University, has helped open doors and build credibility as we continue to grow.

Cranfield University has provided far more than financial support, it’s been a consistent source of inspiration, connection and long-term value.”

Carina credits Cranfield’s holistic ecosystem, and continuous guidance, remarking that events such as Start-Up Weekend, Investor Day, Cranfield 50 and the Green Business Network, provide constant inspiration and vital networking opportunities.

With strong foundations in place, Zeroox is now entering a dynamic growth phase. Their plans for the next two years include:

• Reaching 3,000+ customers across the UK rental market
• Launching their AI-based contract review and property check tools
• Expanding their network of trained viewing partners
• Building a service provider marketplace
• Forming strategic partnerships with student unions, international education agencies, and local organisations

Zeroox is already gaining strong industry recognition. From being nominated for the MK STEM Awards (2024) to winning the prestigious Milton Keynes Tech Fund (2024). With their bold, resident-first approach and clear vision for the future, there’s no doubt they’ll continue to achieve their goals and reshape the rental market for the better.